Matthew Perry’s former assistant, Yuki Iwamasa, tells the court that he could not simply refuse the late actor when Perry requested ketamine, as he seeks a lighter sentence in a related case. The matter is before the court ahead of a hearing scheduled for May 27, according to reporting from multiple outlets. Iwamasa disputes prosecutors’ position that he could have declined Perry’s requests and notes that the relationship and circumstances surrounding those requests contributed to what he describes as “tragic consequences.” While prosecutors argue that the assistant had the ability to say “no,” Iwamasa maintains that he did not have that option in practice. The court proceedings focus on how Iwamasa handled Perry’s requests and the extent to which he bears responsibility under the law. The outlets agree that Iwamasa is asking for sentencing leniency, and they characterize his testimony as centering on his inability to refuse Perry rather than an intent to facilitate wrongdoing. The scheduled May 27 hearing will address the sentencing request.