SMETHPORT — A Bristol man accused in the morphine death of a Wetmore Township woman entered a not guilty plea on Thursday in McKean County Court.

Edward S. Valeri, 42, who entered the plea at his arraignment, will have the opportunity again to plead guilty or ask for a jury trial at his plea conference on March 1.

Valeri is charged with delivering morphine to 43-year-old Suzie Witherell, who died of an overdose on Feb. 29, 2016, at her 47 Pond Road residence.

Evidence provided at Valeri’s preliminary hearing on Dec. 18 indicated that on Feb. 20, 2016, Witherell sent Valeri a message asking to buy something from him. They allegedly messaged each other over the next few days planning the sale; messages showed he planned to mail her morphine via FedEx, and she sent him a message Feb. 27, 2016, indicating she received the package.

On Feb. 29, 2016, Witherell was found dead her her 47 Pond Road residence, a death that ruled to be due to morphine toxicity, officials reported.

Valeri remains incarcerated in McKean County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.