Conrad Murray Pleads Not Guilty to Michael Jackson Manslaughter
Monday, February 8, 2010 - Labels: Michael Jackson - 0 Comments
Conrad Murray already entered his plea in the court of public opinion. Today, he reiterated his claim of innocence in a more official forum.
Just hours after he was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death, and in front of many Jackson family members, the physician pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor count that could land him up to four years in prison, if convicted.
The long-awaited arraignment took place at the Airport Branch of Los Angeles Superior Court around 2 p.m.—about 45 minutes after Murray arrived to screams of "murderer" and "justice for Michael" from Jackson fans, many sporting red, sequined armbands.
Decked out in a beige suit, Murray arrived to a media onslaught.
Depriving the LAPD of a full-on perp walk, the doctor was not handcuffed for his stroll into the courthouse, but was escorted by a half-dozen sheriff's deputies.
The Jackson family quietly stared down Murray as he entered accompanied by attorneys Ed Chernoff, Joseph Low and J. Michael Flanagan.
Judge Keith L. Schwartz said the case would be moved to the downtown criminal court due to security concerns, with a preliminary hearing set for April 5.
Schwartz set bail at $300,000 and restricted Murray's medical practice in California and Texas, specifically barring him from prescribing or administering propofol or "any heavy sedatives" to his patients.
"I don't want you sedating people," Schwartz said.
Earlier Monday, the D.A. alleged that Jackson's former personal physician "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson...in the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to 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."
That dovetailed with a new version of a coroner report, which stated Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication administered by another." The report says Jackson's dosage was equivalent to that of a patient facing "major surgery."
"The standard of care for administering propofol was not met," the report continued. "Recommended equipment for patient monitoring, precision dosing, and resuscitation was not present."
Read the full coroner report
Murray has long maintained his innocence. He is expected to post bail right away and leave Los Angeles for either Las Vegas or Houston while he awaits his next court date.
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