A Cumberland County man charged with second-degree murder is scheduled to be arraigned in criminal court on Friday (February 9, 2024).

Officers say 61-year-old Michael Ralph Daignault of Crossville also faces a charge of manufacture, sale, or possession of fentanyl.

In July 2022, a detective with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department responded to the death of Christopher Hale. Officers say Hale died of the combined toxic effects of fentanyl and ethanol, and TBI drug agents joined the investigation. During that investigation, agents and detectives developed information that identified Daignault as the individual who provided the drugs to the victim.

A Cumberland County Grand Jury recently returned indictments against Daignault.

An arraignment is the first scheduled appearance by the defendant in criminal court.