Conrad Murray, the personal physician of Michael Jackson, pleaded not guilty to a single felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the famous performer. Bail was set at $75,000-three times more than the amount faced by most people who are charged with involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors had wanted bail set at $300,000. Michael Jackson’s parents, Katherine and Joe, and his brothers Randy, Tito Jackie, and Jermaine, and his sister La Toya were at Murray’s arraignment.
Upon Murray’s release after posting bail, the 56-year-old cardiologist will not be allowed to leave the country.
Murray was Jackson’s personal physician when he died. According to officials, the performer died after Murray gave him propofol and two other sedatives to treat his chronic insomnia.
The criminal complaint against Murray accuses him of unlawfully killing Michael Joseph Jackson, albeit with out malice, and of acting “without due caution and circumspection.”
The coroner had ruled the singer’s death a homicide caused by acute intoxication by propofol and other sedatives. The autopsy report released today says that Jackson was administered a powerful anesthetic at a dose equal to what would be given during a major operation and that medical standards were not met.
Murray maintains he did not do anything that should have killed Jackson. His criminal defense attorney is vowing that he and his client will “fight like hell.” If convicted, Murray faces a maximum four years in prison.
Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009.
High profile criminal cases, especially one involving a beloved victim, can prove challenging for the defendant, who may have the court of public opinion against him/her.
Michael Jackson’s doctor pleads not guilty, Yahoo/AP, February 8, 2010
Conrad Murray: Michael Jackson case and celebrities’ doctors, The Christian Science Monitor, February 5, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Propofol, Drugs.com
Michael Jackson Autopsy Report, The Smoking Gun
An experienced Boston felony defense attorney can make sure that your civil rights are upheld, you get a fair trial, and you receive the most aggressive, solid defense possible.