HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Dr. Conrad Murray is expected to be formally charged Monday in the death of Michael Jackson after an ongoing game of cat-and-mouse with Los Angeles prosecutors.
On Friday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced that charges would be filed, although they failed to confirm that they would be against Murray. The announcement came just hours before Murray’s defense team was scheduled to hold a news conference in an effort to force the prosecution’s hand.
It is widely believed that the police and prosecutors have been feuding over how to bring Murray in. The LAPD wants Murray taken to the courthouse in handcuffs, whereas prosecutors feel that is unnecessary given that he lacks a criminal record. Ed Chernoff, a lawyer for Murray, went public Thursday with his frustration over the process.
“We both share the goal of the efficient administration of this process,” he said in a statement. “An arrest of Dr. Murray would be a waste of money, time and resources. We’ve always made it clear: You tell us where; we’ll be there. I’m sure something can be arranged.”
Murray has long been at the center of a manslaughter investigation into the pop star’s June 25 death. While he has admitted to administering propofol to the entertainer, Murray has denied giving anything that would have killed the King of Pop.
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.”
