Man arraigned in death of girlfriend

SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A 20-year-old Suffolk man had a video arraignment Friday morning on charges related to his girlfriend's death.

William Conroy, Jr. is charged with second degree murder, distribution of a schedule II drug and contributing to the delinquency of a minor in connection to an incident at his home on April 22, 2011.

In court Friday, Conroy's lawyer said his family will hire a lawyer rather than accept the court-appointed one.

Police say paramedics originally responded to a call from Conroy's home for a teenager in cardiac arrest.

When they arrived, police say someone at the home told paramedics the teenager, Briley Compton, had fallen from a boat in the backyard and hit her head.

Toxicology reports show that's not true. Police say Compton died from a deadly mixture of over-the-counter cold medication and a prescription painkiller.

WAVY.com spoke to Conroy's father outside their home Thursday.

"He's a good-hearted kid," said William Conroy, Sr. "He's a kid."

He shook his head 'no' when asked if he had any knowledge of his son using drugs.

"I'm getting ready to talk to a lawyer," said William Conroy, Sr. "It's a terrible situation, and that's all I have to say right now."

Meanwhile, at the victim's home in Portsmouth her mother says the arrest is bittersweet. She says it brings both a sense of justice and all the reminders of her daughter's death.

In a handwritten note to WAVY.com, the victim's mother issued the following statement:

"We love her. We miss her every single day, and we'll carry her beautiful smile in our hearts forever. We are praying for everyone involved."

Police will not say if Compton knowingly consumed the drugs or how the drugs entered the victim's system.

Conroy was arrested Wednesday.

Stay with WAVY News 10 and WAVY.com for updates on this developing story.