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'Fatal dose' Jackson doctor granted bail

Superstar's sister fuels conspiracy theories

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LaToya Jackson leaves court after Dr Conrad Murray was arraigned on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of pop star Michael Jackson. Photo: Getty Images

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By Linda Deutsch in Los Angeles
Wednesday Feb 10 2010

MICHAEL Jackson's doctor is to return to court -- when the prosecution will disclose the evidence that it believes proves that his "gross negligence" was the direct cause of the pop star's death.

Dr Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty yesterday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a judge released him on $75,000 (€54,400) bail. Dr Murray was being paid $150,000 (€109,000) a month by the singer's concert promoter AEG.

Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz ordered Dr Murray to hand in his passport and said he could travel within the US, but not to any foreign country.

Dr Murray was ordered to return on April 5 to have another date set for his preliminary hearing. That proceeding, a virtual mini-trial, will disclose the evidence prosecutors claim will demonstrate Murray's "gross negligence".

The cardiologist is accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose of an anaesthetic to help him sleep. If convicted, the doctor could face up to four years in prison. Jackson died on June 25 last year.

Judge Schwartz told Dr Murray he was restricting his practice of medicine, barring him from using any anaesthetic agent, specifically the drug propofol, which a coroner's report found was the cause of Jackson's death, with other drugs as contributing factors.

Immediately after the hearing, La Toya Jackson issued a statement saying she believed her brother had been murdered and that others besides Dr Murray were involved in his death.

She was in court along with her parents Joe and Katherine and her siblings Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy. Her father Joe Jackson expressed the same views in an interview on 'Larry King Live' and claimed that his son believed he was going to be murdered.

Outside the Los Angeles airport area courthouse about 50 Michael Jackson fans carried large photographs of the superstar and signs urging, 'Justice for Michael'. Some shouted "murderer" when Murray was brought to court.

Criminal

A representative of the state attorney general's office said the California Medical Board would be filing a motion to revoke Murray's medical licence to practice in California.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren tried to convince the judge to impose a high bail of $300,000 (€218,000). He said in his motion that although Dr Murray had no criminal record, he had violated court orders involving child support payments and "leads an irresponsible and financially unstable life".

Prosecutors will have to prove that Dr Murray was giving hospital-grade doses of propofol for an unapproved purpose -- insomnia.

Affidavits suggest that the doctor tried to help Jackson to sleep with sedatives that did not work and Jackson demanded his "milk", as he referred to propofol. As the drug took effect, Dr Murray said, he left to use the toilet -- although mobile phone records suggest he also talked on the phone for 45 minutes -- and returned to find the singer not breathing. He gave him CPR before calling emergency services.

- Linda Deutsch in Los Angeles

Irish Independent