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Nearly eight months after Michael Jackson died due to “acute Propofol intoxication,” the singer’s personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office for his role in the King of Pop’s sudden death on June 25th, 2009, CNN reports. In a press release, the D.A.’s office writes that 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.” If found guilty, Murray faces a maximum four-year prison sentence.
As Rolling Stone previously reported, Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide after a toxicology report discovered that the powerful sedative Propofol and other sedatives ultimately caused Jackson to go into cardiac arrest. Investigators have long accused Murray of using “gross negligence” in administering Propofol to Jackson, because the sedative is meant to be used strictly in hospital settings for patients recovering from surgery. In interviews with police, Murray admitted administering Propofol to Jackson after the singer himself requested the sedative, which he dubbed “milk” because of its cloudy white appearance, to help his insomnia.
Charges were expected to be filed last week in the case, but a conflict between the District Attorney’s office and the Los Angeles Police Department delayed the charges until today. Murray will reportedly surrender to the LAPD at around 1:30 p.m. PST, when he’ll also be arraigned on the involuntary manslaughter charge. TMZ reports bail will likely be set at $25,000 and that members of Michael Jackson’s family will attend the arraignment. According to the D.A.’s press release, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren will prosecute the case.
Related Stories:
• No Charges for Jackson Doctor Yet; Conrad Murray Expected to Surrender to Cops
• Source: Dr. Murray Likely to Face Manslaughter for Jackson Death
• Michael Jackson’s Death Officially Ruled Homicide
You can find the original article and other great content at this URL: http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/02/08/dr-conrad-murray-charged-with-involuntary-manslaughter-in-michael-jacksons-death/
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