UPDATE: 'Mikey killed Mikey': Trial gets under way in overdose death of Pa. state champion wrestler
EASTON, Pa. — A lawyer for a man accused of selling drugs that led to the death of another man said Monday in Northampton County Court that his client was an undercover informant for the Allentown Police Department around the time of the incident.
Christopher Ferrante is charged in connection with the December 2020 overdose death of 26-year-old Michael Racciato, a three-time state champion wrestler at Pen Argyl Area High School.
Prosecutors allege Ferrante, 43, sold the drugs responsible for the overdose; he faces seven counts in all.
Defense attorney Gary Asteak told the court Ferrante conducted at least two different drug buys for Allentown police around the time of Racciato’s death.
A judge in the case will allow Asteak to call the detective with whom Ferrante worked to testify in the upcoming trial.
In an email, Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca said his department does not "work with informants who choose to operate outside the rules in violation of any law."
Ferrante's prosecution became a centerpiece of the recent primary election campaign for Northampton County District Attorney, with challenger Stephen Baratta pointing to Ferrante’s prosecution as evidence of problems in the DA’s office.
Jury selection in Ferrante’s trial is set to begin Monday morning; the trial is expected to stretch into next week.