Michael Jackson Doc Charged With Manslaughter

By PopEater Staff Posted Feb 8th 2010 02:45PM

The last person to see Michael Jackson alive has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop king's death, ending months of speculation and legal wrangling. Prosecutors announced the charge Monday against Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

Murray pleaded not guilty to the charges, according to TMZ. Bail was set at $75,000 and the doctor is expected back in court in April.

Members of Jackson's family also appeared at the courthouse to witness the arraignment. The singer's father, Joe, and several brothers and sisters were spotted by TV cameras entering the building shortly before noon.

When asked why he was there, Joe is quoted by MSNBC as saying, "because that's my son."

On Friday, following a tense week of conflicting reports that he'd be charged, the district attorney's office said they were delaying any action amid talk that police wanted to arrest Murray and escort him to court in handcuffs.

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Michael Jackson Photos

Michael Jackson fans gather at the Airport Courthouse where Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, will appear in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 8. More Photos >>

FR74394 AP

Michael Jackson Aftermath

Michael Jackson fans, from left, Monique Ransome, 26, of Temecula, Calif., Michelle Perell, 26, of Los Angeles and Joanna Ramos, 26, of Los Angeles gather at the Airport Courthouse where Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, is expected to appear in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

Michael Jackson fans, from left, Monique Ransome, Michelle Perell, Joanna Ramos, and John Tobin gather at the Airport Courthouse where Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, is expected to appear in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

A reporter waits in front of the building where Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray's girlfriend is living in Santa Monica, California on February 5, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

A camera is protected from the rain in front of the building where Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray's girlfriend is living in Santa Monica, California on February 5, 2010. AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP/Getty Images)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Spokesman Steve Whitmore, left, calls off media gathered at Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Prosecutors in the Michael Jackson death case announced that no case would be filed until next week. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept. spokesman Steve Whitmore, at microphone, calls off the media at the Airport Courthouse in Los Angeles, Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Prosecutors in the Michael Jackson death case announced that no case would be filed until next week. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Michael Jackson Aftermath

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 05: Airport Courthouse spokesperson Steve Whitmore gives a statement relating to Michael Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray's non appearance in court on February 5, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Toby Canham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Steve Whitmore

Michael Jackson Aftermath

Murray's attorneys wanted to avoid the spectacle, so negotiations carried on throughout the week. They felt the sight of Murray being dragged to jail in chains would influence potential jurors for his trial.

A group of Michael Jackson fans have threatened to hold a protest at the courthouse if Murray was allowed to surrender on his own.

Murray has been the focal point of a police investigation since Jackson died last June 25 at age 50. Murray acknowledged that he administered the hospital anesthetic Propofol and other sedatives as Jackson, a chronic insomniac, struggled to sleep.

According to the coroner's report, which was kept under seal until any charges were handed down, Jackson died as a direct result of the Propofol that Murray administered him. The report also says that the standards for administering the drug were not met -- including a lack of necessary monitoring equipment.

The doctor maintains nothing he gave Jackson should have killed him. A trial would be expected to involve expert medical testimony on the use of Propofol and whether there was gross negligence involved in its use at a private home. It is normally administered in hospital settings.

Tags: conrad murray, michael jackson

Comments

(419)

Monday 08 February

By becky

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

was michael jackson allowed to surrender when they arrested him? and he didnt kill anyone!!!! does this guy think he is better than michael? there will be no justice. his actions killed someone. think he'll get to keep his license? it's ridiculous. he should be brought in like any other killer.

By shine

Alot of people that have no history with the law are aloud to turn themselves in..They are called a no flight risk...many of others celebraties have been aloud this also as well as us regular people here on mother earth...its reality

By LORI

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

NO HE DIDNT KILL ANYONE HE JUST MOLESTED AND RAPED LITTLE BOYS AND FED THEM ALOCHOL.. WAKE UP STUPID FOOL!!!

By Susan

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FINALLY THERE WILL BE JUSTICE SERVED AND THIS MURDERER WILL BE SENTENCED.MOST LIKELY NOT TO DO THE AMOUNT OF TIME A KILLER DOCTOR SHOULD RECEIVE!!THIS GUY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS DOING AND ADMINISTRATING IN THE BODY OF SUCH AN UNDERWEIGHT PERSON.WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS HOW HE KNEW MICHAEL JACKSON NEEDED MORE MEDICATION WHEN PROPOFOL KNOCKS YOU OUT IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.WHY, WHY I'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND THIS?UNDER THIS PARTICULAR ANESTHETIC YOU ARE USUALLY RENDERED UNCONCIOUS FOR A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD.I DON'T THINK HE WAS EVEN ABLE TO ASK FOR MORE AND MORE, EVEN IF HE WAS A CARDIOLOGIST ESPECIALLY SHOULD KNOW WHEN TO STOP NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU'RE GETTING PAID.I BELIEVE IF YOU TAKE A LIFE YOU SHOULD GIVE A LIFE.LET THERE BE JUSTICE SERVED FOR MJ FINALLY, THOSE KIDS HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS.

By Ironhead

Im glad hes dead!

Tuesday 09 February

By userbub12487

he did not intend to kill MJ, so the charge (MS) is appropriate. he's guilty of extreme negligence resulting in death. the guy put him out with an array of drugs and then started his day of R&R instead of monitoring. and then when he realized MJ was in mortal danger he didn't really know what to do. great doctor MJ found there.

By Chief Nd duroha

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I seem to understand that the doctor is charged with killing MJ INVOLUNTARILY. That means it is NOT INTENTIONAL. We all make mistakes in life - even expensive ones. Most times to OUR own detriment. Let us be more understanding about the plight of the doctor. For MJ to have retained him, it means that he must have done real good to MJ somewhere along the line. In any case, MJ himself was no saint in his lifetime. If you doubt me, ask the kids who were around him.

Wednesday 10 February

By Tell It Like It Is

csi8299- What do you know of King's finances? Cash cow for who? Women in HIS FAMILY worth MILLIONS. Shut up. Doctor furthermore KNEW what could ensue. Wealth over health?

LORI- You sound so ridiculous. YOU need to wake up.

By susie

Get over it, this Dr. didn't kill Michael, Michael killed Michael. He paid big money for his supplu and DEMAND, not only for this Dr to give him the drugs, but many Drs before him and if this Dr didn't do what he wanted, M. would have replaced him with another Dr.....

By Nicole

Susie, so you're telling me, if someone paid you big money to kill someone, you'd ignore your integrity and happily oblige? Dr. Murray knew the risk that his patient could die. And in this case, obviously, he did. Anyone that says Michael did this to himself, is definitely against him. Dr. Murray gave him the overdose, not Michael himself. So what if Michael pitched a fit and screamed and yelled and cried for it (which I'm sure he didn't do all that) but suppose he did. So he gives him what he wanted b/c he "demanded it"? He had his own successful private practice and a family. Yet, he decided to stay with Michael Jackson, give up everything and give him an overdose on a drug that he was well aware of that could kill him (and considering how many times he'd given him the drug, he knew it would kill him eventually). Did he act to call 911 when he found Michael? Nope, he called 3 other people for almost an HOUR before calling 911. Susie, with all due respect,you can support Dr. Murray but I would never agree to murder someone for money. You say Michael "demanded it" and Dr. Murray did it so he shouldn't be charged? Makes no sense to me. If YOU would kill someone b/c someone paid you money, I will be sure to keep my stair clear.

Your exactly right Michael and his family did they all knew what he was doing but Michael was his worst enemy

By Sue

True that the #1 person to blame is Michael himself BUT this "doctor" injected a person over and over with a VERY DANGEROUS DRUG. He HAS to be accountable for knowingly putting a persons life in danger and utimately killing the person as a direct result of death at his hands...then not seeking immediate help..trying to cover his behind before calling paramedics.

By Angeleyes2

It DOESN'T MATTER that another doctor would do it. HE DID IT! Now he has to pay. Michael didn't kill himself, that he could have done....but didn't. The doctor acted IRRESPONSIBLE in giving him those illegal drugs. Yes, Michael probably needed counseling and rehab. Maybe things would have worked out after he started his tour and again started feeling good about himself. We'll never know because THIS DOCTOR gave him something he should NEVER have been given. He also didn't call for any help soon enough. He needs to have his licence taken away. It was NOT INVOLUNTARY, it's MANSLAUGHTER. MURDER, really. DR. CONRAD MURRAY KILLED MICHAEL JACKSON by giving him illegal drugs, drugs that he could NEVER have gotten himself!

By NJCK

Hence INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER

By Kim

News flash! Nobody including Michael Jackson can pay a doctor to administer drugs - The DOCTOR is the one who HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO SAY NO! IT'S ILLEGAL to perscribe any medication to anyone, no matter how much money and no matter how much they beg. IT'S ILLEGAL PERIOD !!!!!!!!!
No Dentist, or Doctor is allowed to medicate anyone this way let alone walk off and make phone calls!

By lorraine

Susie he is a drug dealer with an legal pad. Are you a hit man?
How will you take to kill someone. This Dr. violated his profession and his since of right and wrong for money.

Many people can't sleep what Dr. will give all those drugs to help someone them sleep. Do you believe Michael Jackson know that all those drugs Dr. Murray givehim will kill him.
That's the Doctor job to said no this may kill you and I WILL NOT GET IT TO YOU.
He a drug dealer plain and simple.

By ADELLA GARDUNO

SUSIE, IT'S VERY TRUE THAT M. JACKSON KILLED HIMSELF AND OTHER LITTLE BOY'S THEIR LIFE AD FUTURE, THE DOCTOR DIDN'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. JACKSON'S FAMILY HAS GONE TO DAMN FAR. HEY MR. JACKSON THE FATHER OF M.JACKSON FACE IT YOUR SON KILLED HIMSELF NOT THE DOCTOR. YOU ALL NEW THAT HE WAS A DRUG ADDICT! so susie thanks because i feel the same way.

By Paramedic14888

Exactly.

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