Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha are set to face trial in March for their alleged involvement in the tragic death of "Friends" star Matthew Perry. Learn more about the case and its implications.
By Lisa Richwine
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A California doctor and a woman charged with illegally supplying the drug ketamine to "Friends" star Matthew Perry before his overdose death will face trial in March, according to court documents released on Tuesday.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, and Jasveen Sangha, whom authorities said was a drug dealer known to customers as the "ketamine queen," have pleaded not guilty to charges related to the October 2023 death of Perry.
An autopsy determined that the 54-year-old died from "acute effects" of ketamine and other factors that caused him to lose consciousness and drown in his hot tub.
Ketamine is a short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic properties, sometimes prescribed to treat depression and anxiety but also abused by recreational users.
Perry had publicly acknowledged decades of substance abuse, including during the years he starred as Chandler Bing on the hit 1990s television sitcom "Friends."
Plasencia and Sangha are scheduled be tried together in federal court in Los Angeles starting on March 4.
Three other defendants have agreed to plead guilty in connection with Perry's death.
Analysis:
In this exclusive report, we delve into the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic death of Matthew Perry and the individuals allegedly involved in supplying the drug that led to his overdose. The trial of Dr. Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha sheds light on the dangers of substance abuse and the consequences it can have on individuals, families, and society as a whole. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible prescribing and consumption of medications, as well as the need for accountability in cases of drug-related tragedies. This case highlights the ongoing battle against substance abuse and the role that both healthcare professionals and law enforcement play in combating this widespread issue.
