Michael Jackson's doctor to stand trial in manslaughter
L.A. County judge revokes Conrad Murray's medical license and orders him to stand trial. One medical expert testifies that it's possible the pop star administered the fatal dose of propofol himself.
A judge stripped Dr. Conrad Murray of his state medical license Tuesday after ruling that prosecutors have sufficient evidence to try him for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said testimony presented during a six-day hearing into Murray's treatment of the pop icon had convinced him that allowing the cardiologist to keep his license "would constitute an imminent danger to public safety."
Evidence presented by prosecutors, the judge said, showed "a direct nexus and connection between the acts and omissions of Dr. Murray and the homicide in this case," Pastor said.
The judge's decision to send the case to trial was widely expected, including by Murray's attorneys, but the defense had strongly contested the suspension of his license, with one of his lawyers calling it a "nuclear option" that could destroy the 57-year-old doctor's ability to support his family and mount a criminal defense.
Murray is licensed in California, Texas and Nevada, but does not practice in California, his attorney said. As part of his ruling, Pastor gave the doctor 24 hours to inform medical authorities in the two other states that the court had suspended his California license until the conclusion of the criminal case. The notifications could have repercussions on his practice in the other states, his attorney said.
The judge denied a request by prosecutors to raise Murray's bail from $75,000 to $300,000. Murray is to return to court for arraignment Jan. 25 and is expected to again plead not guilty.
Jackson died June 25, 2009, from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol. Murray acknowledged to police that he had used the drug for two months to treat the 50-year-old singer's chronic insomnia, but insisted that on the day of Jackson's death he had only administered a small amount that should not have been fatal.
How lethal levels of propofol got into Jackson's system was the focus of the final day of testimony in the case. Through the testimony of 20 previous witnesses, including police officers, paramedics and the performer's household staff, the defense had hinted that Jackson might have given himself the fatal dose.
But with the last two witnesses — both medical experts — the defense delved directly into the issue, with a lawyer suggesting that Jackson either injected himself with propofol or drank it when Murray wasn't looking.
The medical examiner who ruled the death a homicide said that he would stand by the classification even if it turned out that the pop star gave himself the fatal dose. Dr. Christopher Rogers, chief of forensic medicine for the Los Angeles County coroner's office, said Murray's "substandard" treatment in using propofol to treat insomnia in a home setting without proper monitoring remained key to his opinion.
The final witness, Dr. Richard Ruffalo, an anesthesiologist and pharmacologist, said his review of Murray's treatment suggested numerous deviations from the standard of medical care, from "simple" deviations such as a lack of understanding of the interactions between drugs to "extreme" deviations such as performing "totally useless" CPR with one hand.
He initially said that small amounts of propofol found in Jackson's stomach were not consistent with ingesting the drug, but under cross-examination, he acknowledged making a math error in his analysis and said ingestion "would seem to make sense."
But Ruffalo maintained that such a scenario only increased Murray's culpability given the doctor's claim that his famous patient was addicted to the drug he called "milk."
Jackson Doctor Must Stand Trial Over Death
A judge has ordered Michael Jackson's personal physician must stand trial for involuntary manslaughter over the pop superstar's death.
The ruling against Dr Conrad Murray came after a six-day preliminary hearing in Los Angeles, California.
Earlier, the court heard Jackson told Murray on the day he died he would have to cancel his comeback tour in London unless he received a dose of his "milk" - the powerful anaesthetic Propofol.
Orlando Martinez, the lead detective in the case, alleges the doctor relented and gave him a dose of Propofol after a night of administering lesser drugs.
Prosecutors claim the combination of drugs was lethal and that Murray failed to provide the singer with proper care.
The 57-year-old denies any wrongdoing. He could face up to four years in prison, if convicted.
Mr Martinez, who interviewed Murray two days after Jackson's death, gave a chilling account of what he contends happened that night.
The detective said the "King of Pop" lay dying while Murray administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation - but did not initially call an ambulance.
Mr Martinez spent nearly three hours interviewing Jackson's personal doctor in the presence of his lawyers.
He said Murray told him he had been giving Jackson doses of Propofol six nights a week for two months.
But the doctor said he had been trying to wean him off the drug after becoming afraid his patient was becoming addicted.
The detective said Jackson came home from rehearsal at about 1am on June 25, 2009, showered and got into bed.
Murray then began a night of continuous efforts to get the star to sleep.
The doctor told police he gave him the sedatives Lorazepam and Midazolam intravenously and supplied a Valium pill - but nothing seemed to work.
At roughly 3.40am, he said Jackson complained that, if he did not get some sleep, he would have to cancel his much-anticipated This Is It tour - a planned series of 50 concerts at London's O2 Arena.
Two doctors, the last to give evidence at the hearing, said it was clear from Murray's actions the treatment provided by him was below the standard required.
Dr. Conrad Murray To Stand Trial For Death Of Michael Jackson, Loses Medical License
Michael Jackson's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray will stand trial for the death of pop star, RadarOnline.com is reporting.
After a six day hearing, a Los Angeles judge ruled that there is sufficient evidence to send Dr. Murray to trial. In the meantime, his medical license has been suspended.
The prosecution presented over 20 witnesses to claim that Dr. Murray was negligent in his care for Jackson and he will be tried for manslaughter.
They said Murray delayed calling 911 upon discovering that Jackson was not breathing.
Evidence presented showed that Dr. Murray was chatting on the phone with his girlfriend when he discovered the King of Pop was not breathing.
He then allegedly called Jackson’s staff and others before 911 was called.
During a search of Jackson’s mansion following the singer’s death on June 25, 2009, police found 12 vials of propofol - a fraction of the 255 vials a Las Vegas pharmacist said he shipped to Murray in the three months before Jackson died.
Dr. Christopher Rogers, chief of forensic medicine for the Los Angeles County coroner, testified that Murray was improperly using the powerful anesthetic to treat the musician for insomnia.
He said Dr. Murray was wrong to leave Jackson's side while he was under anesthesia before he died.
The decision to revoke his medical license is a major blow for Dr. Murray, who needs to work in order to pay his legal fees.
The doctor has 24 hours to notify the Texas and Nevada medical boards of the court's ruling.
Howard Weitzman, the attorney for John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson, told RadarOnline.com: “The judge’s ruling ordering Dr. Murray to stand trial for the death of Michael Jackson is perfectly appropriate given the testimony in this case.”
Dr. Murray faces a maximum of four years in prison if he is convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Dr. Conrad Murray To Stand Trial For Death Of Michael Jackson, Loses Medical License | Radar Online
Surprised? Conrad Murray Ordered to Stand Trial for Michael Jackson's Death
Conrad Murray 's legal odyssey is just beginning.
The cardiologist accused of injecting Michael Jackson with a lethal amount of sedatives has been ordered to stand trial on one count of involuntary manslaughter.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor also ordered that Murray's medical license be suspended, effective immediately.
"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."
Jackson's mother, Katherine, and siblings Janet, La Toya, Jackie, Jermaine, Randy and Marlon all sat in on at least part of the hearing over the past week.
"I'm happy so far," La Toya told reporters as she made her way to her car Tuesday.
"The judge's ruling ordering Dr. Murray to stand trial for the death of Michael Jackson is perfectly appropriate given the testimony in this case," read a statement from Howard Weitzman, attorney for the executors of Jackson's estate, John Branca and John McClain.
The ruling comes after six days of testimony from more than 20 prosecution witnesses, concluding today with two doctors who testified that Murray violated his duties as a medical professional by injecting Jackson with propofol, a surgical-grade anesthetic, and failing to properly monitor him afterward.
Both doctors said that even if Jackson had injected himself with the lethal dose, his death should still be called a homicide based on Murray's actions.
The Houston-based physician has pleaded not guilty to the charge. A conviction would result in the loss of his medical license and a maximum of four years in prison.
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 Low 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?" Low continued. "That defies common sense."
Members of Jackson's staff and paramedics who responded to the 911 call and transported a seemingly lifeless Jackson to UCLA Medical Center described a chaotic scene at the singer's rented Holmby Hills mansion on June 25, 2009. Bodyguard Alberto Alvarez testified that Jackson's oldest children, Prince and Paris, ran up to their dad's bedroom and saw him lying unconscious.
"Michael Jackson is gone. Michael's kids do not have a father because of Dr. Murray," Assistant District Attorney David Walgren said in his closing remarks. "Michael is not here because of the utterly inept actions of defendant Dr. Murray."
Pastor denied Walgren's request that bail be increased from $75,000 to $300,000. He scheduled arraignment for Jan. 25 at 8:30 a.m.
Surprised? Conrad Murray Ordered to Stand Trial for Michael Jackson's Death | Comcast.net
US-Richter: Prozess gegen Michael Jacksons Arzt
Der Arzt Conrad Murray muss sich wegen des Todes von Michael Jackson vor Gericht verantworten. Ein Gericht in Los Angeles entschied, dass genügend Beweise für eine Anklage Murrays wegen fahrlässiger Tötung des Popstars vorliegen.
Jetzt wird es ernst für Conrad Murray. Die gesammelten Zeugenaussagen belasteten den Arzt so schwer, dass Anklage erhoben wurde. Der Gerichtsmediziner Christopher Rogers hatte Murray zuvor weiter belastet, als er ihm eine schlechte medizinische Betreuung des 50-jährigen Popmusikers vorwarf. Murray soll am 25. Januar offiziell angeklagt werden, wie der zuständige Richter Michael Pastor sagte.
Nach Angaben von Rogers war Jackson vor seinem Tod am 25. Juni 2009 durch eine Überdosis des Narkosemittels Propofol in allgemein guter gesundheitlicher Verfassung. Der Gerichtsmediziner wiederholte bei der Zeugenaussage seine bereits nach dem Tod Jacksons geäußerte Einschätzung, wonach sich Murray durch die schlechte medizinische Behandlung Jacksons der fahrlässigen Tötung schuldig gemacht habe.
Murray hätte die Verwendung von Propofol als Einschlafhilfe nicht zulassen dürfen, sagte der Chefarzt des gerichtsmedizinischen Instituts von Los Angeles. Murray hatte zugegeben, Jackson das sonst nur bei Operationen verwendete Narkosemittel verabreicht zu haben, bestand aber darauf, dass dies auf den ausdrücklichen Wunsch des Musikers geschehen sei, und die verabreichte Menge nicht zum Tod führen konnte.
Rogers kritisierte jedoch, dass Murray seinen Patienten nach Verwendung von Propofol auf keinen Fall hätte allein lassen dürfen. Unter Narkose könne sehr schnell Schlimmes passieren, sagte Rogers. Am Montag hatte ein Apotheker aus Las Vegas ausgesagt, Murray habe in den Wochen vor dem Tod Jacksons große Mengen Propofol bestellt. Sollte Murray verurteilt werden, drohen dem Mediziner bis zu vier Jahre Haft und der Verlust seiner ärztlichen Zulassung.
Das Anhörungsverfahren ist abgeschlossen!
Es wird zu einem Prozess kommen!
Jedoch wird die Anklage nicht auf Mord 2. Grades gesteigert, sondern bleibt bei fahrlässiger Tötung!
Schlussplädoyer David Walgren:
David Walgren sagte in einer lauten und wütenden Stimme zum Richter:
"Michaels Zeit zu gehen, war noch nicht gekommen. Michael Jackson ist heute nicht hier, wegen den fahrlässigen und gewissenslosen Taten von Dr. Murray."
Über Murrays Zeitangaben sagt Walgren folgendes: Entweder hat er, nach seinen Angaben, Michael, der nicht mehr atmete, für über eine Stunde da liegen lassen oder er lügt über seine Zeitangaben. Die dritte Möglichkeit wäre auch, dass Murray so inkompetent ist, dass er keine Ahnung hat, was er Michael gegeben hat und zu welchem Zeitpunkt.
Walgren möchte eine Erhöhung von Murrays Kaution ($75.000) auf 300.000 Dollar. Richter Pastor lehnt ab.
Schlussplädoyer Anwalt von Murray:
Einer von Murrays Anwälten forderte, den Prozess fallen zu lassen, weil die Staatsanwaltschaft nicht hinreichend bewiesen habe, wie Murray Michaels Tod herbeigeführt hätte. Michaels Gesundheit könnte bei seinem Tod auch eine Rolle gespielt haben.
Man hätte nie die exakte Zeit von Michaels Tod erfahren. Wenn man diese erfahren könnte, würde man vielleicht herausfinden, wer in Michaels Tod involviert war.
Ein Anästhesist beschrieb unter welchen Voraussetzungen man Propofol benutzen sollte. Aber wir hörten nicht, wie das ein Kardiologe sieht.
Murray gab Michael um 10.40 Uhr Propofol und ließ ihn dann alleine. Wie hätte er ihm da noch eine weitere Dosis geben sollen und was passierte zwischen 11 und 12 Uhr als Murray nicht da war.
Ein Vertreter der Medical Board of California, Ms. Saunders, ist im Gericht und beantragt den Lizenzentzug von Murray.
Murrays Lizenz wird ihm vorerst zeitweise entzogen. Die Medical Boards of Nevada und Texas müssen innerhalb von 24 Stunden davon informiert werden. Diese werden dann wahrscheinlich der Medical Board of California folgen. Murrays Team glaubt, dass ihm durch den Lizenzentzug die Möglichkeit genommen wird, sich vor Gericht verteidigen zu können, weil er seine Anwaltskosten ohne Job nicht bezahlen könnte.
Die Anklageerhebung soll am 25. Januar um 8.30 Uhr LA Zeit erfolgen.
Rest in peace, Michael. I love you. ♥
All For MJ: 11. Januar 2011 Tag 6: Voranhörung im Fall gegen Conrad Murray
Jury selection will be March 28.
Judge asked Murray, what is your plea? Murray: I am an innocent man. Judge asks again, what is your plea. Murray: Not guilty.
(alles ohne quelle is von twitterern die ihre quellen im court haben ;))
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