As I was watching my usual programmes on a Monday night snuggled in my pj's I was alerted by a reminder for 'Jackson verdict live on Sky news at 9pm' Immediately I turned on the channel to find the case of Dr Conrad Murray coming to an overall verdict at Los Angeles Superior Court. It was agreed by all of the Jury after they deliberated for 18 and a half hours, that Dr Conrad Murray was guilty of involuntary man slaughter without malice and was part of Michael Jackson's death.
It was decided by the Judge that Murray would be held in remand in custody with no bail. His reasons for this were in the interest of the public safety as Murray had now been proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt by the jury. Alongside the view that Dr Murray's actions had lead to Jackson's death, was the judge's worry that Murray would not turn up to his sentencing on the 29th of November. It was argued by his lawyers that he should be allowed on bail as he has previously been on bail for 18 months and hadn't breached or gone against the bail terms. The judge decided to hold Murray in remand due to the fact that he was still innocent until proven guilty in those 18 months whereas now he has been convicted.
Murray can face up to 4 years in State Prison which is seen to have top security. On the 1st October the Realignment Act in America states that anyone going into a State Prison can be transferred to a County Jail. Here it is believed prisoners can serve nearly half of their time meaning if Murray ends up in the County Jail on the 29th November he may only need to serve 2 years imprisonment.
Murray admitted he was guilty of giving Michael Jackson a small dose of Propofol to help him sleep. However his lawyers argued at the trial that the singer was dependant on the drug and that Jackson probably gave himself an extra dose of the anaesthetic, as well as swallowing a handful of sedatives without Murray's knowledge. Despite this defence the jury all decided that Murray was guilty and individually stated their verdict to the judge in court.
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