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Dr. Phil Astin III, the personal physician of Chris and Nancy Benoit at the time Chris killed his family and hanged himself in June 2007, will go on trial Monday 3/16/09 in Newnan, Georgia. The trial was originally to begin next month but Astin requested and received a 90 day continuance from District Judge Jack T. Camp.
Astin was originally indicted in July 2007 before more charges were brought against him in May 2008. In all, the doctor faces 175 federal counts of illegal prescription abuse - made up of 150 counts involving 17 patients including two patients believed to be professional wrestlers who were working for World Wrestling Entertainment at the time. Astin has denied all charges.
At the time of the indictment, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the patients allegedly received illegal prescriptions for Percocet, Oxycontin, Demerol, Lorcet, Ritalin, Vicodin, Xanax, Adderall and Soma.
The prosecution in the case also alleges that Astin's prescriptions led to the death of a patient, presumably former ECW and WCW World Tag Team champion Mike "Johnny Grunge" Durham. Durham was under Astin's care at the time of his death. Astin was linked to 32 of 36 prescriptions written for Durham in the year prior to his passing. Durham's widow has come out strongly against Astin, blaming him for enabling Durham. Authorities allege Astin prescribed Durham 120 somas the day before his death in February 2006. The prescription bottle was empty when Durham's body was found.
Authorities first became aware of Astin in the days following the Chris Benoit tragedy as Benoit had visited Astin's office just prior to killing his family. Toxicology reports listed Benoit's testosterone level at 10 times the normal amount.
Astin, who has been driven into financial ruin due to the case, is being defended by a public defender. His original attorney, Manubir S. Arora, removed himself from the case due to Astin being unable to pay him. Astin was initially under house arrest, but was later given clearance to work for a local towing company.
The family of the late Nancy Benoit formed a
foundation in the memory of Nancy and Daniel Benoit earlier this year.
Donations can be sent to:
The Nancy and Daniel Benoit Foundation for Battered Women and Abused Children
c/o Decker, Hallman, Barber and Briggs
260 Peachtree St. Suite 1700
Atlanta, GA 30303
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