Foster bond set at $10,000 cash in overdose death case

Bond is set at $10,000 cash for Lathan Foster, an Arkansas native who is accused of providing a fatal dose of fentanyl to a man who was living in West Salem, Wis.

The 23-year-old Foster is charged with reckless homicide in the death of Jeremy Pittman, who allegedly died from an overdose last New Year’s Eve. That could lead to 40 years in prison, if Foster is convicted

Defense attorney Chris Zachar, representing Foster, said his client cooperated with police when Pittman became ill on New Year’s Eve.

“He was the one who put the fire out” in Pittman’s stove, Zachar said in La Crosse County Circuit court Monday. “He started CPR on the decedent, he and his friend called 911, stayed and spoke with the police.”

The prosecution, however, argued Foster didn’t show up for a La Crosse court hearing in a different case last month, and was arrested in his home state of Arkansas.

Zachar said Foster surrendered in Arkansas last month, when he learned there was a warrant for him in La Crosse.

Zachar added that Foster came to Wisconsin last year for work with a team that was taking care of Afghan refugees, who were housed for months at Fort McCoy. Pittman was also from Arkansas, staying in West Salem.

Foster’s next court appearance is on Aug. 23.