Following a preliminary hearing, a judge has ordered Michael Jackson’s personal physician, Conrad Murray, to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter, reports the London Evening Standard.
Murray is accused of administering the powerful anaesthetic propofol along with other sedatives to the deceased king of pop and then leaving him alone. The pop star died on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.
The Jackson family seemed satisfied with this news. The singer’s sister, LaToya Jackson, said as she was leaving court: "I’m happy so far."
On August 28, 2009, the Los Angeles County Coroner declared Jackson’s death a homicide caused by the combination of drugs in his body. Before his death, Jackson reportedly had been administered propofol, along with two anti-anxiety benzodiazepines: lorazepam and midazolam.
Murray, 57, pleaded not guilty, while his lawyers argued that the doctor gave nothing to the singer that should have killed him. However, he did admit to giving Jackson propofol after a night in which he had administered lighter drugs to help him sleep.
He says he then left the room for "two minutes" and when he returned discovered that the singer was not breathing and had a weak pulse. If found guilty, Murray could face up to four years in prison. Judge Michael Pastor has suspended Murray’s license, preventing him from practicing medicine.
However deputy district attorney David Walgren said: “…let me just say, it was not Michael Jackson’s time to go. Because of Dr Murray’s actions, Michael’s children are left without a father.”