At a preliminary hearing yesterday against Michael Jackson’s physician, a bodyguard who was present when Jackson’s body was found testified that he was told by the physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, not to call 911 right away but to first look for and dispose of some incriminating items that Murray didn’t want police or paramedics to discover.
The bodyguard, Alberto Alvarez, testified that he wasted 21 minutes gathering up syringes and other evidence of Jackson’s propofol overdose before he was finally allowed to call 911. Â Frankly, I don’t think it’s looking too good for Dr. Murray, who will very likely be returned to just “Mr. Murray” before he gets sent to prison for involuntary manslaughter. Â Mind you, the sentence is only four years, and he’ll probably be out in 18 months.
Dr. Conrad Murray will appear in court Monday to face charges he administered a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic Propofol to pop icon Michael Jackson. Dr. Murray’s legal team is reportedly prepared to argue a defense that Jackson killed himself accidently by injecting himself with an overdose of the drug.
Dr. Conrad Murray
Dr. Murray’s lawyers, however, claim that the reports they will blame Michael Jackson for his own death are untrue. “That is in no way indicative of what we are going to be presenting in court,” a spokesperson for Murray told Entertainment Weekly.
Court papers filed against Dr. Conrad Murray claim that his “reckless conduct led to the demise” of Michael Jackson while the singer was in his care. Deputy Attorney General Trina L. Saunders wants the judge in the case to suspend Murray’s medical license until the criminal case against the doctor is resolved.
The California Attorney General’s Office claims Murray’s “criminal conduct and reckless actions taken in the care and treatment of his patient M.J. make him a danger to the public.” Murray’s lawyers argue that the doctor needs to continue to practice medicine to pay his legal fees, saying that it would be “financially and personally devastating” if he is banned from treating patients.
The court hearing on Monday will determine whether there is enough evidence against Murray to proceed with a trial against the doctor for involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death. Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charge. If convicted, Murray could face up to four years in prison.
The family of Michael Jackson is outraged by Dr. Conrad Murray‘s not guilty plea to a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop superstar. Murray pled not guilty to the charge he caused Michael Jackson’s death in court on Monday.
Michael Jackson (White House Photo Office)
“He’s lying. He’s guilty. Nobody was there but him,” Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, said at a press conference following Dr. Conrad Murray’s arraignment on Monday. “He’s just trying to save his own behind… He killed him.”
Dr. Conrad Murray, who served as Michael Jackson’s personal physician before his death, faces up to four years in prison if convicted on the charge of involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death. He was released after arraignment on $75,000 bail.
Both sister La Toya Jackson and father Joe Jackson have stated they think Dr. Conrad Murray wasn’t the only guilty party involved in Michael Jackson’s death, although the entire family believes he was the primary hand behind the singer’s demise and should have faced heftier charges. Joe Jackson, in particular, has hinted repeatedly that some of the blame should fall on those pushing Michael Jackson to commit to a grueling schedule for the ‘This Is It’ tour.
“There’s other people, I think, involved with this whole thing,” Joe Jackson said on CNN’s Larry King Live. “He was afraid to even do all of these shows [in his planned tour], because he was afraid that he wouldn’t get a chance to finish all of the shows,” Joe Jackson said. “He couldn’t do all those shows back-to-back. Even his kids say that he had told them that he would be murdered.”
Dr. Conrad Murray (YouTube screenshot)
Michael was murdered, and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray, I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan,” La Toya Jackson said in a press statement. “There are other individuals involved, and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served.”
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office could file charges against Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson within the next few days. Dr. Conrad Murray, who served as Jackson’s personal physician, is expected to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the pop icon’s death.
Michael Jackson (Publicity photo)
A lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray told the press Tuesday his client was prepared to surrender to authorities if charges are filed against him. The L. A. County District Attorney’s Office has not yet filed any charges against the doctor, but multiple sources are reporting they are close to doing so.
Dr. Conrad Murray has previously admitted to administering the powerful anesthetic propofol to Michael Jackson before the singer’s death. Jackson’s autopsy lists his cause of death as a “homicide” caused by “acute propofol intoxication” in combination with other drugs.
Attorney Brian Oxman, speaking on behalf of the Jackson family on CBS’ The Early Show, said a charge of involuntary manslaughter was not a harsh enough punishment for Dr. Murray. “That is just a slap on the wrist, and a slap in the face, because Michael Jackson was someone who we knew was in danger of being brought to his knees, brought to his death, by the use of these medications,” Oxman said.
A copy of the Michael Jackson death certificate released online lists the late pop icon’s cause of death as “homicide” by acute Propofol intoxication through “intravenous injection by another.” The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office has confirmed the Michael Jackson death certificate published online is authentic.
Michael Jackson
The Los Angeles Police Department has reportedly completed their investigation into the death of Michael Jackson. No charges have yet been filed against anyone, but rumors are circulating Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, is in the line of fire. Murray has admitted to administering the powerful anesthetic Propofol to the singer shortly before his death, but claims he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
Michael Jackson Death Certificate - Click for larger version
Dr. Conrad Murray has hired Britney Spears‘ former lawyer J. Michael Flanagan to defend him against any charges that may stem from the Michael Jackson death investigation. Flanagan successfully defended a nurse accused of killing a patient with Propofol in a previous case.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office said at this time “no decision has been made and nothing has been filed” in the case. However, several tabloid sources have claimed insiders report manslaughter charges against Murray are expected within the next several weeks.
More details emerging from the official Michael Jackson autopsy report show the pop icon was reportedly “fairly healthy” for a 50-year-old man. Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide from an overdose of the anesthetic Propofol and sedative Lorazepam.
According to new information released from the Michael Jackson autopsy report, the singer was in relatively good health for his age and height. However, Jackson’s body was punctured by needle marks and he did suffer from lung damage and arthritis. No illegal drugs or alcohol was found in his system, although earlier reports indicate marijuana was found in Jackson’s home at the time of his death.
The report also states Michael Jackson had numerous scars, including scars around his face that may have been caused by plastic surgery. The singer also reportedly had tattoos under his eyes, his eyebrows and across his head, where Jackson was reportedly going bald.
The full autopsy report remains sealed and no one has yet been charged with Jackson’s homicide. The drugs contributing to Jackson’s death were administered by his personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray, who currently remains a target of investigation over his treatment of Jackson.
Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Doctor Conrad Murray, will be charged with manslaughter in connection with the pop star’s death. Law enforcement officials told FoxNews.com on Wednesday that Dr. Conrad Murray will be arrested and charged with manslaughter within the next two weeks.
Dr. Conrad Murray posted a video on YouTube on Tuesday thanking his friends and supporters. A spokesperson for Murray says he created the video for his friends and family because he is afraid to use e-mail or return phone calls due to death threats he has received.
* Update: The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office reportedly told AccessHollywood.com that no chargers are currently pending against Dr. Conrad Murray. The District Attorney’s office claims the FoxNews.com report saying Murray would shortly be charged with manslaughter in connection with Michael Jackson’s death is “completely and totally false.”
At a preliminary hearing yesterday against Michael Jackson’s physician, a bodyguard who was present when Jackson’s body was found testified that he was told by the physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, not to call 911 right away but to first look for and dispose of some incriminating items that Murray didn’t want police or paramedics to discover.
