ATLANTA (AP) -- A lawyer for Chris Benoit's personal doctor suggested in court papers the former pro wrestler had a hormone disorder that permitted the amount of steroids he was prescribed before killing his wife, son and himself in June.
In a motion to suppress evidence filed Monday, Dr. Phil Astin's attorney, Manny Arora, said a federal agent failed to tell a judge who issued search warrants in the case about the legitimate uses of steroids.
Arora wrote that if the government had consulted a hormone disorder specialist, it would have learned that "the amount of medication in question was not excessive and would be medically appropriate based on the medical condition of Mr. Benoit."
The court filing did not elaborate on Benoit's condition. A spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office declined to comment.
Authorities have said Astin prescribed a 10-month supply of anabolic steroids to Benoit every three to four weeks between May 2006 and May 2007.
Anabolic steroids were found in Benoit's home, and tests showed Benoit had roughly 10 times the normal level of testosterone in his system when he died. Investigators have not given a motive for the killings, but the question of whether steroids played a role has lingered.
Testosterone can be used as part of hormone replacement therapy. Some athletes also have been known to use steroids to enhance their performance.
Astin has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of improperly prescribing painkillers and other drugs to two patients other than Benoit. Federal prosecutors plan a superseding indictment with new charges, but haven't said when they will act.
The district attorney overseeing the death investigation has said Benoit strangled his wife with a cord, used a choke hold to strangle his 7-year-old son, then placed Bibles next to the bodies and hanged himself on a piece of exercise equipment in his Fayetteville home the weekend of June 22.
Astin is free on bail, but must remain in his home except under limited circumstances. A pretrial conference is scheduled for Sept. 18.
