A Louisa County man has pleaded not guilty to a homicide charge brought in connection with a December overdose on a powerful opiate pain reliever.

A judge set a Feb. 4 jury trial for Matthew G. Minster, 28, during an arraignment today in Louisa County Circuit Court.

Minster is also charged with two related drug distribution counts. Authorities accuse him of having a role in the death of county resident Nicole Brockett, 24, a mother of infant twins when she died inside her home in the western part of the county.

Brockett had chewed and ingested a fentanyl patch. Sold under the brand name Duragesic, fentanyl is an opiate prescribed to treat chronic pain expected to last for weeks that other pain relievers can't manage. It can be deadly if misapplied or used recreationally for its euphoric effect, which can be hundreds of times more powerful than heroin, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Minster also faces one count each of possession of narcotics with intent to distribute and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute.

Rusty McGuire, deputy Louisa County commonwealth's attorney, agreed to change the charge against Minster from second-degree murder to felony homicide to better match the circumstances of the case.

Felony homicide is punishable by a maximum 40-year prison sentence. Each drug count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Minster is free on bond. Contact Calvin R. Trice at (540) 932-3674 or ctrice@timesdispatch.com.