A Los Angeles judge delayed the trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray, at the request of his defense attorneys who sought additional time to prepare for cross-examination of new prosecution witnesses. The parties are now scheduled to resume jury selection on September 8, 2011. Last week when the jury selection was already under way, the prosecution presented to the defense statements of several new expert witnesses. The statements were produced apparently at the last minute, unfairly surprising the defense. The experts were expected to testify that it was impossible for Jackson to have orally taken a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol, a drug that killed Jackson, as Murray’s attorneys plan to argue at trial.
As I predicted in this blog in 2009, Dr. Murray is being prosecuted for committing involuntary manslaughter following Jackson’s death from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic drug that usually administered in hospital settings. He will be convicted of involuntary manslaughter if the jury finds that the lawful administration of the drug was conducted in a criminally negligent manner, i.e. “without due caution or circumspection.” If convicted, he will be facing up to 4 years in state prison. It is undisputed that Dr. Murray gave Jackson the drug as a sleeping pill. However, he vehemently denies it was a fatal dose. As a result, at Dr. Murray’s trial his lawyers will attempt to present expert witness testimony showing that the amount of the drug administered to Michael Jackson by Dr. Murray could not have possibly killed the singer.
The circumstances relevant to determining whether Dr. Murray was negligent in administrating the drug will include whether he was aware of the nature and type of the drug being administered, the side effects of the drug, his knowledge of its effects, the actual dosage, whether the drug was administered in a prudent and careful manner, and other factors that may bear on his subjective awareness of the dangers presented by the drug and on the issue of negligent supervision. Since Dr. Murray’s trial will be televised, everyone will be able to observe the battle of the experts that is going to determine the outcome of this trial.
This office handles all aspects related to the defense of murder charges in San Diego County. For a free consultation, contact us at (619) 232-5122 or: info@attorneylombardo.com
For more information on murder and manslaughter, see the following:
- California Laws SB-30 and SB-145 to Allow Domestic Partnership and Alter Rules for Minors - September 29, 2020
- What Is a Reasonable Bond in California? - April 27, 2020
- What to Do If You Are Accused of Rape - March 6, 2020
