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One of the two doctors charged in connection with Matthew Perry’s death appeared in a federal court in Los Angeles on Friday after reaching a plea deal to cooperate with prosecutors. Dr Mark Chavez, 54, from San Diego, appeared with his attorney and confirmed to US Magistrate Judge Jean P Rosenbluth that he understood his rights, reports AP. The judge reportedly granted Chavez bond with several conditions, including surrendering his passport and ceasing his medical practice, which he agreed to.
Earlier this month, Chavez reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine.Although he did not enter his guilty plea or discuss the case on Friday, he will do so with a different judge at a later date to be determined. According to AP, Chavez’s lawyer Matthew Binninger said outside the court, “He’s incredibly remorseful, not just because it happened to Matthew Perry, but because it happened to a patient. He’s trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here. He didn’t accept responsibility today, but only because it wasn’t on the calendar. He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation.”
As part of his plea deal, Chavez has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, along with Perry’s assistant, who admitted to helping obtain and administer ketamine, and an acquaintance of Perry, who confessed to acting as a drug messenger and middleman. These three individuals are aiding prosecutors to nail Dr Salvador Plasencia, who is charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month leading up to his death, and Jasveen Sangha, a dealer alleged to have provided the fatal dose of ketamine. Both Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
Perry was discovered deceased by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner determined that ketamine was the primary cause of death.
Earlier this month, Chavez reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to conspiring to distribute ketamine.Although he did not enter his guilty plea or discuss the case on Friday, he will do so with a different judge at a later date to be determined. According to AP, Chavez’s lawyer Matthew Binninger said outside the court, “He’s incredibly remorseful, not just because it happened to Matthew Perry, but because it happened to a patient. He’s trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here. He didn’t accept responsibility today, but only because it wasn’t on the calendar. He’s doing everything in his power to cooperate and help with this situation.”
As part of his plea deal, Chavez has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors, along with Perry’s assistant, who admitted to helping obtain and administer ketamine, and an acquaintance of Perry, who confessed to acting as a drug messenger and middleman. These three individuals are aiding prosecutors to nail Dr Salvador Plasencia, who is charged with illegally selling ketamine to Perry in the month leading up to his death, and Jasveen Sangha, a dealer alleged to have provided the fatal dose of ketamine. Both Plasencia and Sangha have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.
Perry was discovered deceased by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner determined that ketamine was the primary cause of death.
