Michael Jackson’s Doctor Charged, Pleads Not Guilty
Michael Jackson’s personal physician, cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray, has been charged in a courtroom near the Los Angeles International Airport. Dr. Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. According to a feature on the Los Angeles Times, the charge is the “least serious homicide charge available to prosecutors” and carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison. He pleaded not guilty.
The coroner’s report on Michael Jackson’s death was released on Monday, and in addition to its previously-released statement that said that the pop star died from “acute propofol intoxication in combination with the use of sedatives”, it also indicated that “the level of anesthetic as enough to render a patient unconscious for major surgery.”
The coroner’s office consulted an anesthesiologist regarding the use of propofol. Murray had revealed to investigators that his patient had used propofol for years as a sleeping aid; Jackson is said to be a chronic insomniac. Anesthesiologist Dr. Selma Calmes said in the report that propofol was not used for insomnia. Because of the side effects associated with propofol, it should only be administered by anesthesiologists and trained professionals. The administration of propofol should also be accompanied by “full patient monitoring,” according to Calmes.
Affidavits executed by the police reported that Michael Jackson’s bedroom had “no proper monitoring or precise dosing equipment.” Dr. Murray also admitted that he left the pop star for a couple of minutes after administering propofol.
Murray was reportedly silent for the duration of the hearing. His lawyer Ed Chernoff, however, said that his client would be acquitted provided that they “get the right jury”.
Tags: conrad murray, michael jackson, michael jackson cause of death, michael jackson death
