Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter brought by the attorney of Los Angeles regarding the death of Michael Jackson on Friday afternoon.
The doctor went on his own before Judge Keith L. Schwartz, a Los Angeles court Friday, at about 16h. When he exited his vehicle, Conrad Murray was immediately escorted inside the yard by several policemen, but not handcuffed. Many fans of Michael Jackson, crowded around, booed the doctor as he walked quickly toward the entrance of the building.
Dr. Conrad
After reading the indictment, Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty to single count of manslaughter and was placed under arrest by the authorities to complete the process of formal charges .
Dr. Conrad Murray was accompanied by his lawyers for the formal reading of the indictment.
At last report, the doctor may receive a provisional release by paying bail of 75 000 dollars. Payment of the bond should be done within the next few hours.
During the brief hearing, the judge rejected the request of the prosecutor who was to withdraw the license of the physician. The judge, however, Dr. Conrad Murray forced to use any anesthesia on his patients.
The preliminary hearing of the trial of Conrad Murray will be held at the Criminal Court of downtown Los Angeles next April 5.
If convicted, Dr. Conrad Murray could face a maximum sentence of four years.
The late singer’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, his sisters La Toya and Rebbie and his brothers Jermaine and Jackie were present during the reading of the indictment.
Upon his arrival at court, Jermaine Jackson said that the charge was “not enough” to a reporter who asked him to respond.
Michael Jackson died June 25 at the age of 50 years in Los Angeles, as a result of an overdose of drugs, including propofol, a powerful anesthetic administered to him by Dr. Conrad Murray the morning of his death.
A few days after the death of Michael Jackson, Conrad Murray confirmed to authorities in Los Angeles that he was present at the residence of the singer on the day of his death the morning of June 25 last, when he had spent several hours the previous night trying to sleep with many sedatives, including the drug propofol. However, he protested his innocence since the death of the singer, telling that he had administered propofol, a powerful anesthetic, the continuing demand for Michael Jackson.