Weeks after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray has been sentenced to the maximum of four years in prison.
Before sentencing, Brian Panish, an attorney and friend of the Jackson family, was allowed to read a statement on behalf of the family:
The family asked the judge to give Murray a sentence which “reminds physicians they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder. As we all know from this tragedy, doing so can have fatal results.”
David Walgren said on behalf of the prosecution:
Walgren continued:
“At the point where Dr. Murray knew his actions caused the death of Michael Jackson, he didn’t, as one would hope a doctor would do, immediately begin to cure the situation…he looked out for himself.”
About Murray, the defense stated: “If we’re going to start with four years of prosecution, does any of that matter? For 58 years, Dr. Murray, he was born in Grenada. Illegitimate mother. He didn’t know his dad. They weren’t just poor, they were literally dirt poor…but he took that impossible situation…he made his way to the United States, a poor unsupported Black man from the Caribbean. He put himself through college, three years Magna Cum Lade. Put himself through medical school. University of Arizona after that. Does any of that matter that that’s exactly what we want our neighbors and citizens to aspire to? Does any of that matter to the court at all?”
After hearing all the parties, Judge Pastor declared his sentence, saying:
“There are those who feel Dr. Murray is a saint. There are those who feel he’s the devil. He is neither. He’s a human being…The court declines to grant probation in this case…he unquestionably violated the trust and confidence of his patient, Michael Jackson, on a repeated nightly basis.”
