Dr. Conrad Murray Found Guilty! No Bail!
By Art Harris, The Bald Truth, (c) www.artharris.com, all rights reserved
Jurors in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor Monday found Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of killing his pop superstar patient with an overdose of drugs designed to help him sleep, including the powerful hospital anesthetic, propofol.
As the clerk read the verdict in a wavering voice, someone in the Jackson family entourage let out an audible squeel, but was not admonished.
Murray, glum if elegant in a gray suit, was denied bail.
Judge Michael Pastor explained Murray was now a risk to public safety, convicted of a homicide, and should not be free as he has been in weeks and months during the trial. He said the penal code justified keeping him in custody until sentencing, set for Dec. 29 in Los Angeles.
He looked stunned as a sheriff’s deputy pulled his arms behind him and snapped on handcuffs while he was still sitting at the defense table.
Judge Michael Pastor explained Murray was now a risk to public safety, convicted of a homicide, and should not be free as he has been in weeks and months during the trial. He said the penal code justified keeping him in custody until sentencing, set for Dec. 29 in Los Angeles.
Murray looked stunned as a sheriff’s deputy pulled his arms behind him and snapped on handcuffs while he was still sitting at the defense table. He huddled briefly with his lawyer, Ed Chernoff, of Houston; then deputies lead him from the courtroom.
“Justice was served,” an elated Jermain Jackson said while leaving court. “Michael is with us.”
Murray had been spotted around LA at restaurants, and at the beach, and showed up at the courthouse Monday with a documentary film crew in tow. Radar Online reports he’s shooting it to pay sky high legal bills.
Chernoff asked that Murray be allowed to remain free on his own recognizance, the assistant district attorney argued he now had a motive to flee with prison looming.
Judge Pastor thanked the jury for their service, and lifted a gag order on attorneys.
Outside the courthouse, Jackson fans erupted in celebration, waving signs and cheering as the Jackson family sauntered past. “Thank you, America, thank you,” said LaToya Jackson, stopping to talk briefly with HLN’s Jane Velez Mitchell.
Jackson’s sister, who has been espousing a bizarre conspiracy theory that included Murray, praised the prosecutors and said, “Michael loved everybody out here (fans). He was in that courtroom. That’s why we won.”
HLN’s Alan Duke reported Chernoff had told him as he was leaving court that he was still going to push for bail, and left the door open for a possible appeal.
November 9th, 2011 at 12:49 am
Murray deserved some punishment, but Michael was a drug addict long before Murray came along.. How does a Dr. say no to MJ? They don't, and didn't.. IMO Murray should lose his license permanently…Who's to say he wouldn't do something as outrageous as this again? I don't think MJ would have lived a long life…He had the dermatologist in his life regularly, poisoning his body with Demerol..He would have continued to get drugs…Eventually drugs would have killed him in the not so far future.. IMO..
Art, isn't the date Nov. 29, and not Dec. 29 for his sentencing hearing? TY