The attorney representing an alleged heroin dealer, whom authorities believe may be linked to Philip Seymour Hoffman's death, says that 300 packets of heroin found in his client's apartment were for his client's own use, according to reports.
Robert Vineberg, 57, is one of four alleged drug dealers who were arrested in the wake of Hoffman's February 2nd death. Though he has admitted to being addicted to heroin, he has denied selling the late actor any of the heroin found in his apartment. Vineberg's attorney Edward M. Kratt claimed in court yesterday that his client used at least 10 packets of heroin per day, and the hundreds of packets found in his Mott Street apartment were "clearly for his own personal use."
Though investigators have found no link between the heroin found in Vineberg's apartment and the dozens of glassines discovered in Hoffman's at the time of his apparent overdose—which were labeled "Ace of Spades" or stamped with an ace of hearts—Kratt's argument didn't seem to sit well with the presiding judge. "It sure as heck isn’t clear to me," Justice Edward J. McLaughlin said. "If he has an incessant uncontrolled heroin addiction, then, lying around with 300 bags of heroin, he’d be dead." McLaughlin eventually set bond for $200,000.
Vineberg, a jazz musician, claims he met Hoffman about a year ago, and the two were merely friends. Two other suspected dealers—Juliana Luchkiw, 22, and Max Rosenblum, 22—were arraigned on misdemeanor drug possession charges last week.
