Legal Commentary

Michael Jackson's Doctor Ordered to Stand Trial for Involuntary Manslaughter

By Jeralyn

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...]

20 witnesses testified for the state. As to the defense,

Murray's defense team didn't call any witnesses during the hearing, but his lawyers argued that their client did not give Jackson anything that could have killed him and, in fact, was planning to decrease the amount of meds the King of Pop was using.

"What did we hear that [proves] Dr. Murray killed Michael Jackson?" attorney Joseph Lowe said in his closing statement. "Who is going to tell me what Dr. Murray did to Michael Jackson before he died? A 25-milliliter [dose] of Propofol in a 20-minute push is not enough to kill a man."

"On the day he is trying to ween Michael Jackson off propofol, the doses (levels) go off the roof?" Lowe continued. "That defies common sense."

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 11, 2011 (boomark / email).