HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Michael Jackson’s doctor was formally charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter, nearly eight months after the King of Pop’s death.
Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty to the charge against him as Jackson’s parents and siblings looked on. He arrived at the brief hearing amid shouts of “murderer” from the circus-like crowd outside the Los Angeles courtroom.
Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz set bail for $75,000 and ordered Murray to surrender his passport. The Houston cardiologist was granted permission to continue practicing medicine as long as he doesn’t administer anesthesia. He is due back in court on April 5.
If convicted, Murray, who was taken into custody by sheriff’s deputies but not handcuffed, could face up to four years in prison.
“We need justice,” family patriarch Joe Jackson told reporters outside court.
Murray has long been at the center of the investigation into the pop star’s death last June. While he has admitted to administering propofol to Jackson, Murray has denied giving anything that would have killed the entertainer.
In August, the coroner ruled that Jackson’s death was a homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication. Other drugs found in his system that contributed to his death included lorazepam, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine. In a November interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, Janet Jackson blamed Murray for her brother’s death.
“He was the one that was administering [propofol],” the 43-year-old singer said. “I think he is responsible.”
