Dr. Conrad Murray Pleads Not Guilty in Death of King of Pop Michael Jackson

Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty Monday afternoon in an LA court to involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Michael Jackson.Murray is accused of giving the King of Pop a fatal dose of propofol and pain killers.

In his last hours, Jackson was given propofol, a powerful anesthetic, at a level equivalent to what would be used in “major surgery” and in a manner that did not live up to medical standards, according to the autopsy report released by the coroner’s office yesterday.

This court case has all the makings of a Three Ring Circus. Sure justice must be served; however, this is a reminder to the media that there are numerous other cases out there that need your attention rather than this spectacle.

Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose of an anesthetic to help him sleep, appeared in court in a gray suit and burgundy tie as Jackson’s father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy watched from courtroom seats behind prosecutors.

Neither Murray nor the Jacksons showed much emotion as the six-foot-five Murray entered his plea through his attorney Ed Chernoff, but as he emerged from court, Joe Jackson declared, “My son was murdered.”

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz set bail for Conrad Murray at $75,000 and forbade Murray from prescribing heavy sedatives.

Michael Jackson Doctor, Conrad Murray, May Lose MD License in Wake of Manslaughter Charge

Nevertheless, the case could have been worse, noted defense attorney and former Jackson lawyer Mark Geragos told “Good Morning America.” Murray could have easily faced more severe charges that could have sent him to prison for life, Geragos said.

“I think that Dr. Murray caught a break when they did not file second-degree, what’s called implied malice murder,” he said.