The Los Angeles Criminal Law Blog

Michael Jackson's Doctor Appears in Court

By Laura Fishman on February 11, 2010 8:57 AM | No TrackBacks

Michael Jackson's person physician, Conrad Murray, pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter last Monday at his arraignment. The criminal case comes after a seven-month long investigation; which started after the infamous death of the pop star.

The complaint filed by the county district attorney's office, according to The Los Angeles Times, alleges that Dr. Murray "did unlawfully and without malice kill Michael Joseph Jackson, a human being, in the commission of an unlawful act not amounting to a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection."

The arraignment took place in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, where several Michael Jackson fans shouted "murderer" as Dr. Murray entered the courtroom, according to The Los Angeles Times. Though involuntary manslaughter is a serious criminal matter, Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys say that the charge is considered to be the least severe of homicide charges available to prosecutors. Involuntary manslaughter applies to an unlawful killing that is done without malice or intent to kill. The maximum prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter is 4 years.

Dr. Murray has been accused of giving Michael Jackson a high dosage of propofol; a powerful anesthetic, during the last hours of the pop star's life. Prosecutors alleged that the amount of propofol given to Michael Jackson was atypical based on standard medical practice. 

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz set Dr. Murray's bail for $75,000, which is three times the standard for involuntary manslaughter cases, according to The Los Angeles Times.  He remains in custody.

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