Closing arguments at manslaughter trial of drug dealer accused of selling fentanyl laced cocaine

CTV’s Nick Paparella with the closing arguments at the trial of Jordan Colley, charged with manslaughter in connection to a fatal drug overdose.

In her closing arguments, Crown Attorney Marcia Hilliard got right to the point when she told the court that Christina Bestward died at her home in central London in May 2023 after the accused, Jordan Colley, 35, sold her spouse Daniel Gale cocaine with fentanyl.

She said, “Mr. Colley was a drug trafficker to Mr. Gale...he sold drugs that were laced with fentanyl, and those drugs caused the death of Ms. Bestward.”

The Crown said the couple had made two purchases from the accused on the day in question and, “They overdosed from the same drugs...there is no evidence that she used any other drugs.”

The 41-year-old Bestward would eventually be found dead in her home with the cause of death being multi-drug toxicity, while Gale was rushed to hospital and eventually survived an overdose.

Colley has pled not guilty to one count of manslaughter and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Later in his closing, defence lawyer Aaron Prevost told the court that different drugs like marijuana were found in the home.

“It’s possible that there were other drugs that were laced with fentanyl that didn’t come from Mr. Colley,” he said.

Prevost added, “For two years they bought drugs from Mr. Colley because he had it and it was safe.”

Justice Marc Garson is expected to hand down his decision on the case on March 31, 2026.