A woman convicted for her role in supplying the ketamine that led to a well-known actor’s death has petitioned a court for a reduced sentence, citing personal rehabilitation and health issues. The defendant, who previously admitted guilt, now faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term.
Legal documents submitted this week argue that the defendant should not be considered a leader in the drug distribution operation. Her defense contends that actions like having a roommate store substances or running errands with a partner do not establish a hierarchy of control. The filing disputes prosecutors’ characterization of her as an organizer.
In her appeal for judicial mercy, the individual highlighted 17 months of sobriety, participation in prison programs, a previously clean record, strong family ties, and her educational background. She also requested the court consider her medical history.
The case stems from the actor’s death last year, which was ruled an accidental acute ketamine intoxication. The defendant pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges, including distributing a controlled substance resulting in death. The charges allege she provided numerous vials of ketamine to an associate, which were then passed to the actor’s personal assistant. That assistant later admitted to administering the drug on the day of the actor’s passing.
Investigators allege that following news reports of the death, the defendant and her associate communicated via an encrypted messaging app to discuss distancing themselves from the incident, with instructions given to delete their correspondence.
A separate medical professional involved in prescribing ketamine to the actor has also pleaded guilty in a related case. That individual’s attorney stated their client accepts full responsibility, intends to surrender their medical license, and hopes the tragedy prompts stricter oversight of at-home ketamine treatments.
A sentencing hearing is pending, where a judge will weigh these arguments for leniency against the gravity of the offenses.
