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Michael Jackson’s Doctor Conrad Murray To Be Sentenced Tuesday

Newsone — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 18:14:46 +0000

Conrad Murray, the physician convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson will be sentenced Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Murray, found guilty of administering a fatal dose of the drug propofol to Jackson in 2009, faces up to four years in state prison.

The prosecution also recommended that Murray be ordered to pay restitution to Jackson’s children and pay requisite fines, which totals nearly $102 million…

Prosecutors Seek 4-Year Sentence For Jackson Doctor

Newsone — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 21:40:13 +0000

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors who depicted Michael Jackson’s doctor as remorseless for the superstar’s death urged a judge Wednesday to sentence him to four years in prison, while a defense lawyer said Dr. Conrad Murray is in a prison of self-punishment and should receive probation.

The opposing sentencing memos were filed in advance of Dr. Conrad Murray’s sentencing hearing Tuesday. He has been in jail since he was convicted Nov. 7 of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson’s fatal overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

Prosecutors David Walgren and Deborah Brazil wrote that Murray has shown no remorse for Jackson’s death and has placed blame on others, including Jackson himself. They cited a series of post-trial media interviews with Murray that they submitted to Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor on a DVD.

In one excerpt, Murray states, “I don’t feel guilty because I did not do anything wrong.”

“Finally, the defendant consistently blames the victim for his own death,” said the prosecution brief, “even going so far as to characterize himself as being ‘entrapped’ by the victim and as someone who suffered a ‘betrayal’ at the hands of the victim.”

Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian, citing letters of praise from Murray’s former patients, said: “There is no question that the death of his patient, Mr. Jackson, was unintentional and an enormous tragedy for everyone affected. Dr. Murray has been described as a changed, grief-stricken man, who walks around under a pall of sadness since the loss of his patient, Mr. Jackson.”

Gourjian said Murray will never stop punishing himself over Jackson’s loss and, “In effect, he will be serving a form of life sentence. However, the offense was not willful nor intended. … He is, by every account, immensely sorrowful and remorseful.”

Murray was convicted after six weeks of testimony focusing on Murray’s administration of the drug propofol, an anesthetic not intended for treatment of insomnia or for home use. While Jackson was under the influence of the drug, Murray admitted leaving the room, prosecutors noted. They said he abandoned his patient when he was the most vulnerable.

In their memo, prosecutors said Murray “acted as an employee and as a drug dealer and completely corrupted the trust necessary in a proper doctor-patient relationship.”

Gourjian asked the judge to consider Murray’s humble beginnings in Trinidad and his lengthy career of doing good during his practice in Houston.

“The transgression for which he is to be judged should be viewed within the context of the larger life of which it is a part,” he said.

He also argued in his 45-page memo that current budgetary problems and overcrowding of prisons has made it necessary to release non-violent, non-dangerous offenders. “Dr. Murray is clearly such a defendant,” he said.

Gourjian noted that because of constant death threats, Murray must be kept in solitary confinement, which is expensive.

“Conrad Murray still has the knowledge, capacity and motivation to be a source of healing in the world,” Gourjian wrote. “Though he will perhaps not again be a doctor … he could educate and counsel patients about heart care and disease prevention.” He suggested that as a form of community service by the doctor.

Prosecutors attached to their motion a statement of monetary losses because of Jackson’s death exceeding $100 million. They suggested that “appropriate restitution” from Murray be ordered for Jackson’s children.

Murray Requested Life-Saving Equipment Days Before MJ’s Death

Newsone — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:50:32 +0000

LOS ANGELES – An attorney for the promoter of Michael Jackson’s final concerts said Wednesday the singer’s personal physician asked the company for life-saving equipment just days before the pop superstar’s death.

Kathy Jorrie, who works for concert giant AEG Live, testified at the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray that she questioned some of the doctor’s requests, which also included the possibility of hiring a second doctor to assist him.

“Dr. Murray told me Michael Jackson was perfectly healthy, in excellent condition,” Jorrie testified.

She said Murray told her not to worry about Jackson’s condition.

“He’s great,” she recounted the doctor telling her in a conversation the day before Jackson’s death.

Murray asked for a CPR machine in case one wasn’t available at the concert venue at London’s O2 arena, Jorrie explained.

Prosecutors allege Murray caused Jackson’s death by providing him with a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol and other sedatives without the proper lifesaving equipment or skills.

Other testimony came from Jackson’s former personal assistant, Michael Amir Williams, who recounted a 35-second phone conversation with Murray on the day Jackson died.

“He said `Get here right away, Mr. Jackson had a bad reaction. Get somebody up here immediately,’” Williams told the jury.

He said the doctor never told him to call 911 or described Jackson’s condition.

Williams said he arrived at Jackson’s mansion just as the singer was being loaded into an ambulance. He saw Murray, who he described as “frantic.”

Earlier in the day, a promoter told jurors that Jackson appeared strong during one of the final rehearsals for the highly anticipated comeback concerts.

Paul Gongaware, an executive for AEG Live, said Jackson seemed engaged and energetic during the rehearsal just two days before he died.

Prosecutors called Gongaware to demonstrate the importance of the concerts and in an apparent attempt to show that both the singer and his physician were deeply engaged in preparations for the show before Jackson died on June 25, 2009.

Gongaware also testified that he saw Murray at one of Jackson’s rehearsals after people affiliated with the planned concerts complained that the singer had been missing some of the sessions.

Prosecutors wrapped up their direct questioning of Gongaware before defense attorney Ed Chernoff briefly questioned the executive.

Under the cross-examination, Gongaware acknowledged AEG is being sued by Jackson’s mother for negligent supervision of Murray when he worked with Jackson.

Jorrie also testified about drafting a contract for Murray to work as Jackson’s personal physician.

At one point in negotiations, Murray requested his contract be modified to allow him to hire another physician in case he was tired or unavailable while Jackson was performing in London, she testified.

“He wanted to make sure that there was somebody else available to be of assistance,” Jorrie said.

In opening statements Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said Murray delayed summoning emergency crews and lied to doctors and medics when he failed to reveal he had been giving Jackson the medications to try to help the entertainer sleep.

Chernoff claimed Jackson gave himself a fatal dose of medication in a desperate attempt to get some sleep.

He said Murray had been trying to wean Jackson off propofol, but the entertainer kept requesting it on the day he died.

“Michael Jackson started begging,” Chernoff said. “When Michael Jackson told Dr. Murray, `I have to sleep. They will cancel my performance,’ he meant it.”

Prosecutors rejected Murray’s version and told jurors the Houston-based cardiologist also had a tremendous stake in Jackson appearing in the concerts.

The doctor had initially asked to be paid $5 million a year for working with Jackson, but Gongaware said he immediately rejected the proposal. Instead, Murray accepted an offer to become Jackson’s doctor for $150,000 a month – a sum he was never paid because his contract hadn’t been signed before Jackson’s death.

Murray has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and have to relinquish his medical license.

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Jackson’s Bodyguard Recounts Efforts To Save Pop Star’s Life

Newsone — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 08:21:17 +0000

Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris cried on the floor outside of her father’s bedroom as Conrad Murray performed CPR to save the pop star’s life, Jackson’s bodyguard Faheem Muhammad testified Wednesday in court.

Muhammad also said Murray was sweating and very nervous as he worked to resuscitate Jackson while another bodyguard dialed 911.

Jackson’s personal assistant Michael Amir Williams told jurors earlier that he received the doctor’s first distress call, but that Murray only described a “bad reaction” and never asked him to call 911.

Jermaine Jackson Tries To Dispel MJ Rumors In New Book

WOL DC News — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:22:37 +0000

Michael Jackson’ brother, Jermaine Jackson, has a new book titled “You Are Not Alone, Michael: Through a Brother’s Eyes” that covers their childhood together as well as the child abuse allegations that haunted Michael.

The book is coming out right when Michael Jackson is back in the news due to the trial of his doctor, Conrad Murray.

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The Huffington Post reports:

Fed up with the rumors and mystery surrounding Michael’s life and death, Jackson decided to pen a heartfelt book, “You Are Not Alone, Michael: Through a Brother’s Eyes.” Partly a look at their family’s early years in Gary, Ind., and the phenomenal success of The Jackson 5, the memoir also delves into Michael’s final days and all the questions surrounding his death.

“You Are Not Alone” doesn’t hold back, with mentions of Michael’s chimpanzee Bubbles, the child abuse allegations against Michael, and the singer’s marriage to Lisa Marie Presley all thrown into the mix. The book comes as Michael’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, goes on trial Tuesday in Los Angeles for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson Birthday Mania Continues With Fans Paying Tribute

WOL DC News — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 15:40:22 +0000

Fans of the late-great Michael Jackson said they couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit the singer’s childhood home in Gary, Indiana.

“We were exploring the area and decided to come here,” Rotoloni said.

The local friends, including Joe Dallmann, who now lives in California, were fans as youngsters of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album released in the mid-1980s.

“The ‘Thriller’ album did it. … I had the silver gloves and the life-size poster of Michael. I had everything,” said Jennifer Holt, of DeMotte.

MJ’s Mom Says Molestation Claims Were “Biggest Lie”

Bernie McCain — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:20:21 +0000

The mother of deceased pop star Michael Jackson, Katherine Jackson, appeared on The Today Show with Matt Lauer and spoke about the Dr. Conrad Murray trial and her involvement in the case.

Jackson’s mother has been at every court hearing.

“I just felt I had to be there,” she said. “I was with him everyday when his last trial was. I just wouldn’t feel right if I wasn’t there.”

Mrs. Jackson also mentioned Michael’s past child molestation case and explained the falsity of it saying, “As far as Michael being a child molester, that’s the biggest lie ever been told.”

Michael Jackson Collabs With Rocker Freddie Mercury To Be Released

WOLDCNews.com — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:15:53 +0000

Michael Jackson‘s much-talked about collaborations with Freddie Mercury of the British rock band Queen are finally being released. Jackson & Mercury teamed up in the early 80s to record three demos that will be finished by the surviving members of Queen.

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Queen’s drummer Roger Taylor was recently interviewed by a Belgian magazine when he let the news slip. “We are now working on some never-before-released songs that Freddie made with Michael in the early 80s,” Taylor said. “I’m not allowed to say too much about it, but they sound incredible!”

Hardcore fans of both MJ and Queen have heard the demos of two of the songs “There Must Be More To Life Than This,” “State Of Shock”. “There Must Be More To Life Than This” turned up on Freddie Mercury’s solo album without Michael’s vocal contributions. “State Of Shock” was re-recorded with Mick Jagger by The Jacksons in 1984. The third song, “Victory,” was considered for inclusion on The Jacksons’ 1984 reunion album of the same name, which featured the Mick Jagger version of “State Of Shock.”

Jackson & Mercury struck up a friendship during the recording of Queen’s 1980 album, The Game, when Jackson stopped by the studio and told the band that their song “Another One Bites The Dust” should be the album’s lead single. “Another One Bites The Dust” shot to number one and became Queen’s biggest selling single, moving over 7 million copies.

Listen to the unfinished demos for “State Of Shock” and “There Must Be More To Life Than This” below.

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This or That: Prince or Michael Jackson?

WOLDCNews.com — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:37:32 +0000

We asked The Whispers, Prince or Michael Jackson? Take A Look! Kyte.Embed.path="http://media.kyte.tv";Kyte.Embed.altpath="http://www.kyte.tv";window.kyteplayer=new Kyte.Player("",{appKey:"default",width:420,height:685,p:"6361",s:1146870,tbid:"10"});... Read more..