Ledger-Enquirer.com | 07/02/2007 | DA says no state charges in Chris Benoit probe for now

DA says no state charges in Chris Benoit probe for now

By HARRY R. WEBER - Associated Press Writer --

ATLANTA --

"From our standpoint, I have no reason to believe there will be any criminal charges at the current time," Fayette County District Attorney Scott Ballard told The Associated Press. "What the federal government is going to do, it will be up to them."

Federal drug agents have taken over the probe into whether Benoit's personal physician, Dr. Phil Astin, improperly prescribed testosterone and other drugs to Benoit before he killed his wife and son and committed suicide in his suburban Atlanta home last month. Ballard and sheriff's officials are overseeing the death investigation.

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta, Patrick Crosby, declined to say Monday whether federal prosecutors were planning any criminal charges. Authorities have conducted two raids since last week at Astin's west Georgia office.

Among other things, investigators were looking for Benoit's medical records to see whether he had been prescribed steroids and, if so, whether that prescription was appropriate, according to a law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity because records in the case remain sealed.

Astin prescribed testosterone for Benoit, a longtime friend, in the past but has not said what, if any, medications he prescribed when Benoit visited his office June 22, the start of the weekend when the killings occurred.

Astin's attorney, Manny Arora, did not immediately return several calls Monday seeking comment.

"They were already involved in similar type investigations and because the feds are involved, you don't have the venue issues that we would have if we were to do it," Ballard said of the drug probe.

Meanwhile, toxicology tests on Benoit's body have not yet been completed, Ballard said.

Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, leading officials to wonder whether the drugs played a role in the killings, which took place last weekend. Some experts believe steroids can cause paranoia, depression and violent outbursts known as "roid rage."

"We're still asking questions and searching for answers with regard to the death so we can tie up loose ends," Ballard said. "It just seems irresponsible not to pursue any suggestion that we were incorrect about it being a murder-suicide. But all of the evidence up to now points to us being correct."

Ballard said finding a motive in the case remains elusive.

"I think it will always be undetermined as to 'Why?'" Ballard said. "I think it's because there can't be any satisfactory reason why you kill a 7-year-old."

Authorities have said Benoit strangled his wife and 7-year-old son, placing Bibles next to their bodies, before hanging himself on the cable of a weight-machine in his home.