Two suspects for trial over Matthew Perry's death

A doctor and a lady known as the 'Ketamine Queen' will face trial for Matthew Perry's death next year, a judge has ruled.

On Monday, California District Judge Sherilyn Peace Garnett ordered that Salvador Plasencia and Jasveen Sangha face a joint trial on March 4, 2025. 

A pre-trial hearing is also scheduled for February 19, 2025.

The two are among five people charged with the death of the Friends star, who died from the "acute effects of ketamine" on October 28 at the age of 54.

Perry was seeking treatment for depression and anxiety when he developed an addiction to intravenous ketamine.

According to court filings, he used the medicine six to eight times per day before dying.

Plasencia, a Santa Monica psychiatrist, is accused of distributing ketamine to Perry through his live-in helper Kenneth Iwamasa between September and October of last year for at least $55,000 (£42,500).

She allegedly sold the narcotics to Eric Fleming, another defendant and Perry's acquaintance, who then sold it to his assistant.

A drug enforcement official earlier claimed that the ketamine delivered by Sangha was the final dose that killed Perry.

Plasencia faces up to 120 years in federal prison and has denied charges of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, seven counts of ketamine distribution, and two charges connected to allegations that he altered documents while under investigation.

Sangha faces life imprisonment. However, she pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, maintaining a drug-involved premises, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute ketamine and five counts of distribution of ketamine.