Tag: Michael Jackson

Bump and Update: Dr. Conrad Murray has been sentenced to four years in jail. A restitution hearing has been set for January. Dr. Murray waived his right to be present. The defense will file a Notice of Appeal.

He was remanded to the custody of the LA Sheriff. They didn't handcuff him this time, and as he left, he blew a kiss to his family. [More...]

Why no bail until sentencing for Dr. Conrad Murray, following his conviction today for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson? He was handcuffed in court and remanded into custody until his sentencing. Los Angeles jail officials say he'll be kept in protective custody, not allowed to mingle with other inmates.

The judge set Nov. 29 for probation/sentencing and told the lawyers to be prepared to address restitution issues. He also referred to California's new sentencing law, the "Realignment Act" which took effect Oct. 1. Under the new law, persons convicted of certain felonies, including involuntary manslaughter cannot be sentenced to the state prison, only county jail. The time spent in county jail is reduced, and in some cases, a sentence can be served on house arrest. While Murray's sentence will be under the new law, his good time credit will be determined under the old law since the crime was committed before October 1. [More...]

The defense in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray called its final witness today, propfol expert Dr. Paul White, who challenges the findings of the state's expert, Dr. Steven Shafer, as to the cause of Michael Jackson's death.

White is not finished testifying, but today he expressed perplexity at the findings by prosecution experts that propofol caused Jackson's death. The defense also called an addiction specialist today who had examined Dermatologist Arnie Klein's treatment records of Jackson. He testified Jackson was dependent on, and possibly withdrawing from from Demerol when he died. (Apparently, Jackson was getting the Demerol to help with pain from Botox and Restalyne.)He said one of the symptoms of Demerol withdrawal is insomnia. Jackson was getting shots of Demerol, and the last one was three days before he died. Murray was not aware Jackson was receiving Demerol. Klein has not been charged with wrong doing. [More..]

Bump and Update: Here's a trial primer. Here's a rundown on the jurors. You can watch the live stream of the trial here.

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Two years after Michael Jackson's death, opening arguments begin tomorrow for Dr. Conrad Murray, charged with manslaughter for allegedly administering a deadly amount of propofol to Jackson and then failing to properly monitor him. [More...]

Michael Jackson would have turned 53 today. Dr. Conrad Murray, facing trial for involuntary manslaughter over Jackson's death was in court today. The Judge rejected his request to introduce evidence concerning Jackson's molestation case. Good decision, Jackson was acquitted and it seems like an attempt to change the subject.

Murray wants to argue Jackson was a long time drug addict. Even if he was, how does that exculpate Dr. Murray, who had been treating Jackson while living in his house, if his actions resulted in Jackson's death? [More...]

Following the preliminary hearing in the case of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, an LA judge has ordered him to stand trial on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors contended the Houston-based cardiologist was on the phone and distracted after administering a powerful anesthetic to Jackson. They also presented evidence the singer was dead by the time Murray summoned help.

Judge Michael Pastor also ordered Conrad's medical license was ordered revoked as a condition of bail.

Circumstances have changed," Pastor said in court this afternoon. "They have changed dramatically. There are extraordinary circumstances that mandate my approving the request of the [California] Medical Board. Overall consideration is the protection of the public. The continued practice by Dr. Murray does pose an imminent danger to the state of California."

[More...]

A judge in Los Angeles today ruled Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, can keep his California medical license. The California Medical Board had asked the court to revoke it, saying he was a public threat. Murray's lawyers pointed out no evidence has yet been presented in court. Today, the judge hearing the request said the matter had previously been ruled on by another judge and he had no authority to rule differently.

The preliminary hearing is now set for August 23. Dr. Murray practices in Nevada and Texas. ABC News reports:

Murray gained a much-needed dose of good press last month when helped revive a woman who became unconscious on a US Airways flight from Houston to Phoenix.

June 25 will be the first anniversary of Jackson's death.

Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. The press release from the LA District Attorney's office reads:

Dr. Murray "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson ... in the commission of an unlawful act, not 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."

It's a media circus in L.A. Michael Jackson's parents, and siblings Jermaine and La Toya are at the courthouse for he brief court appearance, set for 1:30 pm. PT. Dr. Murray will voluntarily surrender and be released immediately on bond. Hopefully no perp walk. [More...]

Actor Charlie Sheen will appear in court in Aspen at 2:30 pm MT. The court docket states the matter is set for a bond appearance. Multiple media reports and a press release by Pitkin County indicate charges will be filed against him, most likely felony menacing and misdemeanor assault. His wife, Brooke Mueller, has also been ordered to appear so that the Judge can address the Sheens' request to modify the mandatory protective order preventing them from having contact.

TMZ reports a plea bargain may be in the works, but it won't happen tomorrow. My thoughts on what the plea bargain would entail are here.

In Los Angeles, Dr. Conrad Murray, the Houston physician present with Michael Jackson when he died, will appear in court at 1:30 pm PT. The DA's office is expected to file a charge of involuntary manslaughter against him. [More...]

Dr. Conrad Murray is in Los Angeles, where law enforcement sources say a charge of involuntary manslaughter is imminent for his alleged role in the death of Michael Jackson. His legal team says they aren't sure what's happening, but if he's charged, he's prepared to surrender.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office has issued a press release saying Michael Jackson's death was a homicide.

The "manner of death has been ruled homicide. Cause of death was established as acute propofol intoxication. Other conditions contributing to death: benzodiazepine. The drugs propofol and Lorazepam were found to be the primary drugs responsible for Mr. Jackson’s death. Other drugs detected were midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine, and ephedrine. The final coroner’s report includes a complete toxicology report will that remain on security hold at the request of the Los Angeles police department and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office"

The attorney for Conrad Murray, Jackson's physician who was with him when he died, is calling on the LAPD to release the full autopsy report, not just a summary. [More...]

The DEA searched the Las Vegas medical office and home of Michael Jackson physician Dr. Conrad Murray today.

"We are looking for documents" related to the death of Michael Jackson, said Michael Flanagan, assistant special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration office in Las Vegas.

Last week they searched his office and storage locker in Houston: [More...]