Minnesota man sentenced in 6 year Olmsted County overdose case

(ABC 6 News) – A Bayport, Minnesota man was sentenced in Olmsted County court on Tuesday in a six-year overdose case.

Antonio Beasley was sentenced to 108 months (9 years) which will be served concurrently with his 192 month (16 years) sentence he’s already serving from a previous narcotic sentence that began in 2017; Beasley won’t serve any additional time.

Beasley pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree manslaughter on Sept. 7 in the death of 25-year-old Michael Eide in April of 2017. Eide overdosed on heroin laced with fentanyl that Beasley provided him, according to court documents.

“That choice took my cousin and that same choice being made by many other people in the world today is taking the lives of people that don’t deserve to die,” said Michael’s cousin, Emily Hanson.

RELATED: Defendant in six-year court trial pleads guilty

Beasley was charged in 2018, but his trial was delayed several times in Olmsted County Court.

Family and friends of Michael Eide are calling it delayed justice, and Tuesday morning in court, Judge Joseph Chase, agreed, apologizing for the 6-and-a-half years the Eide family have had to wait for this day.

“For him to acknowledge our point of view and how hard the last six and a half years have been, it was just another layer of closure and peace that we needed,” said Hanson. “I think that was really impactful for all of us to hear. I understand that there’s a lot of things that go into why it was continued that we don’t get cause were not on that side.”

RELATED: Delayed Justice, Michael Eide’s story

“I came out of there with a smile on my face because this is over and Michael has justice,” said Michael’s mother, Wendy Ciarletta. “I’m happy, we’re all happy.”

Michael’s family says despite Beasley not having to serve any additional time in prison for his death, they are relieved that justice is finally served.

“That’s why I wish all families going through this get justice also because this is happening everywhere,” said Ciarletta.

The case of Michael Eide has been one of the oldest active cases in the Olmsted County Courthouse and attorneys are also relieved to finally see it through.

“No doubt this has been a case that’s taken a long time to finally get closure in so many respects, so it feels really good to close the books on this file,” said Olmsted County District Attorney, Mark Ostrem.

Members of Michael’s family say they feel sorry for Beasley and that despite his apology in court on Tuesday, they did not see any emotion in his face.

“I hope that he is doing something with his life in prison so that when he does get out he doesn’t repeat,” said Ciarletta. “Because his whole life has been repeat, repeat, repeat.”

As they leave the courthouse for the final time, it is a new start for this family, with a button of Michael’s face still pinned to each of those who loved him.

“We got justice. It took six and a half years but I feel such a weight off of my shoulders,” said Ciarletta. “He was just a very good son, he gave the biggest hugs, the best hugs.”

According to court documents, Beasley is currently incarcerated at the Minnesota Department of Corrections–Stillwater.