The victim apparently removed a packet of the heroin-cocaine mixture that the defendant had placed in the same pocket that contained the candy,

I've never had a puff of marijuana, ... I've never had cocaine. I've never had speed. I've never had heroin. I've never had a sleeping pill.

If tobacco suddenly were unavailable and was as expensive as heroin and cocaine, I think that you would find that the behavior of some tobacco addicts would be very much like the behavior of some addicts of heroin and cocaine,

The defendant and his family talked at length about what they had been through, but apparently were unconcerned about the impact of the crime on the victim. I believe that his lack of empathy was a deciding factor.

I got addicted. News, particularly daily news, is more addictive than crack cocaine, more addictive than heroin, more addictive than cigarettes.

You name it, I took it. Cocaine, ecstasy, even heroin ? although I never injected... I had a job so I looked like I was holding everything together. But then the cracks started to show. I began letting people down and turning up late for work