Slipknot Bassist’s Doctor Faces Manslaughter Charges

Slipknot bassist Paul Gray is back in the spotlight more than two years after his death from an accidental overdose of morphine and fentanyl. He and several other patients are listed in court papers charging Des Moines physician Daniel Baldi with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter.

The 38-year-old bassist’s body was found in a hotel room in Urbandale, Iowa, on May 25, 2010. According to the Associated Press, a hotel worker found a hypodermic needle near Gray and “all kinds of pills everywhere.” In addition to the drug overdose, his final autopsy report showed signs of significant heart disease.

The Des Moines Register reports that Baldi is accused of “prescribing large amounts of narcotic painkillers to patients who later died of overdoses.”

Baldi turned himself in at the Polk County Courthouse in Des Moines Sept. 5. A judge entered a non-guilty plea on behalf of Baldi, who was handcuffed, led away and released later that day after posting $16,000 bail.

The Des Moines Register notes that this isn’t the time first Baldi has had legal problems. Baldi previously faced four medical malpractice lawsuits, including three wrongful death suits. Those deaths were cited in the criminal charges.

The Iowa Health System pain clinic he helped run was closed without explanation in June. Earlier this year Iowa Health officials suspended Baldi from his job.

Baldi’s lawyer, Guy Cook, said that five of the charges involved admitted drug addicts. He claims Baldi saw two of the patients only once each.

The 50-year-old physician could face up to 16 years in prison.

Slipknot percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan and Gray’s widow Brenna Gray are listed on the preliminary complaint filed in district court as being interviewed in the investigation.

“None of it is going to bring back our brother Paul. … Hopefully justice will be served,” Crahan said, according to the Des Moines Register.

Slipknot is expected to release a full statement about the case Sept. 6.