Constitutional law attorney Katie Cherkasky and former DEA special operations director Derek Maltz call for doctors in Matthew Perry's death case to be held to a higher standard.
Constitutional law attorney Katie Cherkasky and former DEA special operations director Derek Maltz argue that the doctors charged in Matthew Perry's death should be held to a higher standard due to the nature of their profession.
Dr. Mark Chavez, one of the accused, is facing conspiracy charges for distributing surgical anesthetic ketamine to Perry, who died of an accidental overdose in October 2022. Chavez has pleaded not guilty and is currently out on bond.
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
According to Cherkasky and Maltz, doctors have a special responsibility to protect their patients, and when they breach this trust by providing dangerous drugs, they must be held accountable.
"Doctors take an oath to do no harm," says Cherkasky. "When they provide patients with addictive or dangerous substances, they are violating this oath and putting their patients at risk."
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
Maltz adds, "Doctors are in a position of authority and trust. When they abuse this power, the consequences can be deadly."
Chavez's lawyer, Matthew Binninger, maintains that his client is remorseful but has not yet entered a guilty plea. Under his plea agreement, Chavez could face up to 10 years in prison.
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
Perry's autopsy revealed acute effects of ketamine as the primary cause of death, with drowning, coronary artery disease, and buprenorphine effects as contributing factors.
In addition to Chavez, three others have been charged in connection with Perry's death: Perry's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa; Jasveen Sangha, known as "The Ketamine Queen"; and Erik Fleming, who admitted to distributing the ketamine that killed Perry.
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
Iwamasa has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death, while Fleming has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine and distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Sangha is awaiting trial on multiple drug-related charges.
Cherkasky and Maltz emphasize that all those responsible for Perry's death must be brought to justice.
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
"The victims of drug overdoses deserve justice, and their families deserve to know that those who caused their loved ones' deaths will be held accountable," says Cherkasky.
Maltz adds, "We cannot tolerate a system where doctors or drug dealers profit from the suffering and deaths of others."
Doctors Charged in Matthew Perry's Death Must Be Held to a Higher Standard
