Conrad Murray Denied Bail -- Why Michael Jackson's Doctor Will Remain Behind Bars

Posted on Feb 24th 2012 1:10PM by The Associated Press

BREAKING UPDATE: A Los Angeles judge has refused to release Michael Jackson's doctor on bail while he appeals his conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor rejected Conrad Murray's bid for bail during a hearing Friday. Murray was not present.

Pastor says Murray is a flight risk and would be a danger to society if he tries to practice medicine again.

The judge says he was scared when he heard Murray say during a documentary interview that he thought it was permissible to give the anesthetic propofol in a home setting.

Jackson died of an overdose of the drug in June 2009 while in Murray's care.

LOS ANGELES (LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent) - With Michael Jackson's doctor in solitary confinement, his lawyer planned to implore a judge to release him on bail as the appeal of his involuntary manslaughter conviction winds its way through the courts.

Attorney J. Michael Flanagan was to appear Friday to argue a motion he has filed saying that Conrad Murray should be released either on his own recognizance or on bail with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet. Murray is in a Los Angeles County jail,

He submitted a declaration from Valerie G. Wass, the lawyer handling Murray's appeal, who said she will present "at least one argument raising a substantial legal question" which could lead to reversal of Murray's conviction. If he remains jailed, they said, he could serve his entire sentence before the appeal is decided.

Flanagan suggested that the four-year sentence imposed on Murray was excessive.

"It is difficult to understand how a 58-year-old man with no prior record, who was convicted of one count of a crime that does not involve intended consequences or malice could be given an upper term sentence," he wrote in his motion.

Murray actually turned 59 on Sunday.

Prosecutors David Walgren and Deborah Brazil said in their reply motion that Murray was properly sentenced in the star's death and would be a flight risk and a danger to the community if released. They said he practiced "dangerous and experimental medicine" on Jackson leading to his death.

Murray was convicted Nov. 7 of involuntary manslaughter after a trial focusing on use of the anesthetic propofol. Jackson died of an overdose of the drug in June 2009 while in Murray's care.

Murray's four-year jail sentence is the highest penalty that could be imposed for that crime. Under current sentencing guidelines he will probably serve half of that term.

Flanagan has said Murray knows he cannot work as a doctor but would find other employment. He said Murray is extremely sorrowful about Jackson's death.

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kellnerc7

Dr. Murray a danger to society.? Please, give me a break.!

March 05 2012 at 9:51 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Nobody

I can guarantee that if it wasn't Michael Jackson and was another 50 year old not known to society hew couldn't even get jail time! Unbelievable.

February 25 2012 at 7:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tom

I really hope the decision is reversed on appeal. Murray doesn't belong in jail but his parents and siblings do for failing to intervene in his addiction to drugs. Murray was merely a pawn in this mess.

February 24 2012 at 8:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Tom's comment

blindskeeter

That doctor deserves life without parole. I am not even an MJ fan. If not jail a rubble walled room. He is a nut case.

February 25 2012 at 6:45 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Herb

Everyone gave him drugs and many other doctors are borderline for the same way they handled him along with his management team,he was a man who was not that happy and in pain so he got peace in zoning out and this doctor screwed up, but there are others being protected and this is the fall guy,let him out and if he runs its less tax dollars being wasted on prisoners.He better look for another line of work.

February 24 2012 at 7:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

poeticmelody08

seriously it is totally for the doc's protection. and how in the world is he a 'danger to society'? Society is more of a danger to him.

February 24 2012 at 7:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ides315r

It's also possible that the judge is playing it very safe by keeping the "doctor" away from the angry Michael Jackson fans. I'm sure if the "doctor" got killed as soon as he walked out of the jail, his family would be suing the government for not keeping him in protective custody.

February 24 2012 at 7:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

clay brooks

ONLY IN THE LAND OF FRUIT'S AND NUTS !

February 24 2012 at 7:18 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

rsand11806

Since I was old enough to stand, I have loved MJ. But he was a grown man who made some stupid life choices. We need to hold him accountable for his choices instead of trying to blame someone else. The doctor may have been negligent, but I am more afraid of drunk drivers than Dr. Murray. I have a choice on whether to allow him to treat me. I don't have a choice of someone driving impaired. We allowed this case to become to political and played out in the press.

February 24 2012 at 6:58 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

studentcorvete25

if he was realy a child molester then that means all those parnets that let him go for money pimpd out there own kids and let him go there for making themselfs child molsters and just as responcible for every child molested after theres as well., but i dont see many parents doing that to there own kids, so its easy to see they lied to get money, no parent could be ok with there kid being molested and alowing one to go free to do it to other familys. so either way you look at it, if he did or didnt those parents should be gutted

February 24 2012 at 6:51 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to studentcorvete25's comment

Tom

Slick lawyering got Jackson off on these molestation charges. I'll concede that perhaps a few of these cases were lied about but for the most part they were as alleged. Jackson was a pedophile. He paid a lot of money to many families not to bring charges against him. Why would he do that if he wasn't guilty.

February 24 2012 at 8:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

candalou2

Mr Murray may never be able to work as a Doctor again.

February 24 2012 at 6:49 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to candalou2's comment

Tom

If the conviction stands Murray will never, ever practice medicine again except perhaps in some third world country.

February 24 2012 at 8:37 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply