Dr. Conrad Murray won’t testify in Michael Jackson trial
during the final stage of Conrad Murray’s defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of singer Michael Jackson at the Los Angeles Superior Court on November 1, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licenses if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death.
Michael Jackson’s doctor, charged with his death, said today he will not testify in his own defense, the Associated Press reports.
Dr. Conrad Murray informed a judge about his decision during a Tuesday court proceeding outside the presence of jurors, AP reports.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave Murray until the start of court Tuesday to make his decision. Murray is on trial for the allegation that the use of the surgical anesthetic propofol to treat the King of Pop’s insomnia deviated from the standards of care expected of a doctor, CNN reports.
Read more at GlobalPost: Conrad Murray trial begins over Michael Jackson's death
Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and could face up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license, CBS New reports.
The King of Pop was announced dead on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, from “acute propofol intoxication” in combination with sedatives. The prosecution contends greed led Murray to leave his medical practice and put his ethics aside to serve as Jackson's private doctor for $150,000 a month, CNN reports.
Although Murray did not administer the final dose that led to Jackson's death, they are holding him responsible and contending he was criminally reckless in using the surgical anesthetic to help Jackson sleep, CNN reports.
Read more at GlobalPost: Michael Jackson took drugs without permission, doctor claims
On Monday Murray was still unsure if he would take the stand in his own case. During Monday's proceedings, a prosecutor of Dr. Paul White, an anesthesia expert, acknowledged that Murray had repeatedly violated the physicians standard of care, Fox News reports. Deputy District Attorney David Walgreen asked only eight questions. White also told jurors he would never have given Jackson propofol as a sleep aid, Fox reports.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?