Michael Jackson's Doctor Will Not Turn Himself In
The pop superstar died on June 25 last year after taking several different drugs including the powerful anaesthetic Propofol. Michael’s original death certificate said the superstar died of “acute Propofol intoxication”. Earlier this month, it was amended by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office to include the words “by intravenous injection of another”. The cause of death was also changed to “homicide”.
It was reported involuntary manslaughter charges against Murray were imminent, with claims he would be charged today. However, following reported disagreements between the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and District Attorney’s Office (DA), the arrangement will no longer take place.
“Contrary to previous reports, Conrad Murray will now not turn himself in on Friday as his lawyer had previously stated and charges will not be filed,” a source said.
The LAPD is said to be unhappy as it has not received enough information on the case being built against Murray. The DA was working with Murray’s lawyers to allow him to surrender voluntarily when he was arraigned.
The plan was allegedly for Murray’s lawyers to take him to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office, where he would be booked, post bail and then go to court without having to wears chains or handcuffs.
“We're told the LAPD so vehemently objected to the plan the DA finally backed off. The LAPD wants to arrest Dr. Murray, book him and bring him into court in handcuffs and/or chains - something that is fairly standard in homicide cases,” gossip website TMZ reports.
However, Murray’s spokesperson has refused to speak about the supposed disagreement, saying they will still go ahead. “We had an agreement with Deputy District Attorney David Walgren and we will adhere to it," Miranda Sevcik said. "We are planning to surrender Murray tomorrow and attend the 1:30 arraignment. If they changed their minds that's on them.”
Michael died after Murray gave him Propofol, which is normally used before patients undergo surgery, and two other sedatives to help him sleep. Murray insists he did nothing wrong and the drugs should not have killed Michael. Giving someone Propofol isn’t illegal, so prosecutors are expected to show Murray went against normal protocols when administering it to Michael.
It has been reported prosecutors want to file a criminal complaint against Murray rather than take the case to grand jury. This would mean the case would be heard in a public hearing, in which a judge would hear evidence and then decide if Murray should be put on trial for involuntary manslaughter.
Yesterday, Murray was spotted visiting Michael’s final resting place in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. “Murray went to the cemetery to pay his respects to his former patient, a witness says,” E! online reports.
On Wednesday, attorney Brian Oxman went on American TV to say how unhappy the Jackson family were with the involuntary manslaughter charges Murray will likely face. He said they see the charge as a “slap on the wrist”, and want it upgraded to second-degree murder.
Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson has confirmed they are unhappy, saying they feel the case should have been brought to court sooner. “I'm not happy that it has taken this long for charges to be brought against 'anybody' in the death of my brother Michael Jackson, but I'm certainly pleased the time has arrived," he told ET Online.
“It is a painful and difficult time for my family, but we are strong and united in making sure we find swift justice for our brother. I thank the fans for all their undying support and for standing with our family through all the difficult times. Hopefully with the promised action that will take place in the next 48 hours, we can begin healing."
