Doctor charged with Matthew Perry’s death to plead guilty

One of two doctors charged in the investigation into Matthew Perry's death is slated to plead guilty on Wednesday in a Los Angeles federal court to conspiring to distribute the surgical anesthetic ketamine.

Dr. Mark Chavez, 54, of San Diego, accepted a plea agreement with prosecutors in August, becoming the third individual to plead guilty following the "Friends" star's tragic overdose last year.

Prosecutors proposed lower charges to Chavez and two others in exchange for their assistance as they pursued two people they believed are more culpable for the overdose death: another doctor and an alleged dealer known as the "ketamine queen" of Los Angeles.

In his plea agreement, Chavez admitted to obtaining ketamine from his old clinic and a wholesale distributor using a bogus prescription. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail.

Chavez is free on bond after handing over his passport and medical licence, among other requirements.

His lawyer, Matthew Binninger, stated following Chavez's initial court appearance on August 30 that he was "incredibly remorseful" and "trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here."

Following Chavez's first court appearance on August 30, Matthew Binninger stated that he was "incredibly remorseful" and is "trying to do everything in his power to right the wrong that happened here."

Perry's assistant, who admitted to assisting him in obtaining and injecting ketamine, and a Perry acquaintance, who admitted to serving as a drug courier and intermediary, are also cooperating with federal authorities.

The three are assisting prosecutors in their case of Dr. Salvador Plasencia, who is accused of unlawfully selling ketamine to Perry in the month preceding his death, and Jasveen Sangha, a woman who officials claim provided the actor the lethal quantity of ketamine. Both pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial.

Remember that Perry was discovered deceased by his assistant on October 28. The medical examiner concluded that ketamine was the primary cause of death.

The actor had been taking the medicine as prescribed by his regular doctor, which is a legitimate but off-label treatment for depression that is becoming more widespread.