Doctor sentenced to two and a half years in prison after death of Matthew Perry

Doctor sentenced to two and a half years in prison after death of Matthew Perry

A sensational trial recently reached its verdict in Santa Monica, California: the doctor who supplied Matthew Perry with the anesthetic ketamine was sentenced to two and a half years in prison. In addition, the 43-year-old doctor has to pay a fine of $5,600 (around 4,800 euros). This reports Radio Wuppertal.

It emerged in court that during the final weeks before Perry's death, the doctor obtained ketamine several times and injected him with it without citing a medical reason for doing so. In her ruling, Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett criticized the doctor for exploiting the actor's addiction to make his own profit. Despite the admission of guilt, further charges were dropped because of the insight demonstrated. Prosecutors had argued that the doctor repeatedly obtained and injected ketamine between September 30 and October 12, 2023, which contributed significantly to the addiction of Perry, who was eventually found dead in his hot tub on October 28, 2023.

Fight against addiction

Perry, who became famous for his role as Chandler Bing in the cult series “Friends,” had spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction. He had even undergone ketamine therapy under medical supervision. What many people don't know is that the popular actor's death was classified as an accident. According to autopsy results, he died as a result of a ketamine overdose, drowning and heart problems. The time reports that the court found that the doctor did not sell the ketamine that led to the overdose, but was a significant contributor to Perry's addiction.

After Perry's death, a total of five people were arrested in connection with the case, including another doctor and an assistant. Three of them have already pleaded guilty, while the verdicts against the remaining defendants are still pending.

Ketamine – risks and consequences

Ketamine has long been used for anesthesia, but has also established itself as a popular drug. Recently, usage has increased significantly, particularly in the club scene. A study from Berlin even showed that ketamine was the fourth most frequently used club drug six years ago. Consumers particularly value the euphoric and dissociative effects that ketamine can provide when consumed as an intoxicant. But experts, as reported by the Pharmacy look around, warn against trivializing the risks of this drug.

Users who use ketamine to self-medicate often suffer from serious physical and psychological problems after excessive consumption. Bladder or nose problems are common, and many report cognitive impairment and increased depressive symptoms. It is therefore not surprising that the topic of ketamine use, especially among celebrities like Perry, and the associated risks are becoming more and more in the public eye.