Doctor Charged in Michael Jackson's Death

Los Angeles prosecutors have officially charged the personal physician of pop star Michael Jackson with the singer's death last June. Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the case.

Murray entered a not guilty plea at a Los Angeles courthouse Monday afternoon one the single manslaughter charge.

Murray, a cardiologist from Houston, could face up to four years in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter, under California law. He was expected to plead not guilty of the charge. Bail was set at $75,000.

Treating a Chronic Insomniac

Dr. Murray has been the target of the investigation from the first day after Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. In statements to police, he admitted administering the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives to Jackson to help him sleep.

Jackson, who suffered from chronic insomnia, hired Murray to help him sleep as he prepared for a series of comeback concerts in London - the first scheduled concerts after his trial and acquittal on child abuse charges.

On the day Jackson died, he was being given a 50 mg IV drip of propofol, an anesthetic usually used only in hospital settings. He was also given Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety drug, and Midazolam, a muscle relaxant. Dr. Murray also gave Jackson Valium on that same day.

See Also:
Michael Jackson Doctor Charged With Manslaughter

The Death of Michael Jackson

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