Charge dropped: Hill gets plea deal for Voycik death

A Marietta man facing involuntary manslaughter and drug charges for a 2021 overdose death has reached a plea deal and has had his manslaughter charge dropped.

Tyson Chad Hill was arrested March 3, 2021, on a first-degree felony charge of involuntary manslaughter for the October 2020 drug overdose death of 37-year-old Jeffry Ryan Voycik. Hill was also charged with a fifth-degree felony count of trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound, a fourth-degree felony count of aggravated trafficking in drugs and a second-degree felony count of corrupting another with drugs.

Hill and his attorney George Consenza and Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Derkin appeared before Washington Common Pleas Court Judge John Halliday Friday morning for a hearing on a plea agreement Hill reached with the Washington County Prosecutor's Office.

Hill was originally scheduled for a jury trial on Feb. 27 for the death of Voycik. The trial was continued because of the plea agreement.

During the investigation of Voycik's death, the Washington County Sheriff's Office discovered that Voycik arranged to buy drugs from Hill. Voycik's cause of death was confirmed as an overdose and was listed as multiple drug intoxication contributed to by cardiomegaly. Voyciki's autopsy report showed he tested positive for fentanyl, amphetamine/methamphetamine and gabapentin.

During the hearing Halliday asked Hill if he was interested in entering a guilty plea and Hill answered "Yes your honor."

Halliday explained that by entering a guilty plea for one felony count of aggravated trafficking in drugs Hill would be found guilty of the count and the maximum penalty for the offense is 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine. Halliday asked if Hill understood this and Hill confirmed he did.

Derkin explained the facts of the case and then Halliday asked Hill if he wanted a jury trial or if he wanted Halliday to accept his guilty plea for the aggravated drug trafficking charge. Hill told Halliday he wanted the court to accept his plea.

"The court accepts the defendant's guilty plea," Halliday said.

Halliday dismissed the other two drug charges and the involuntary manslaughter charge based on the plea agreement. He then proceeded to sentence Hill to 18 months in prison.

Halliday said the state would not be opposed to judicial release after Hill has served a year and he gave Hill credit for 28 days that he already served during the investigation of the case.

Halliday also said that most prisoners are eligible to earn credit off their time through various programs.

"I encourage you to avail yourself to those," Halliday said.

Halliday released Hill for a medical issue Hill needed taken care of Friday, and told him he was to report to the Washington County Jail Friday evening and if he failed to return he would get an additional charge of escape.

Hill said "Absolutely it won't be a problem."

Washington County Prosecutor's Office Victim Advocate Ariel Dair read a statement on behalf of Voycik's mother during the hearing.

"The victim's mother states she's not angry at Tyson, she's angry at the drugs," Dair said.

She said Voycik's mother hopes Hill uses her son's death to stay sober and informed him where Voycik's ashes are spread and invited him to visit the site in the future if he wishes too.

Derkin said that for the last four years of the case investigation, Hill has participated in many programs and Dirken has talked to the program leaders.

"It's good to hear he's trying to change himself," Derkin said.

He also said Hill's participation in the programs is the only reason why he is being allowed to do the plea agreement.

Derkin said he has also talked to the deputies and police officers that work drug cases and Hill's name does not come up anymore.

"He's out of that...we hope he continues down that path," he said.

Cosenza said that Hill is "willing to accept the consequences of this...he has completely walked away from his life. He is extremely remorseful for what happened to his friend."

Hill declined to make a statement on his own behalf during the hearing.