Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Michael Jackson's doctor hires defense attorney
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Michael Jackson's doctor hires defense attorney
By LINDA DEUTSCH,AP Special Correspondent -
Saturday, January 9
Send
IM Story
Print
LOS ANGELES – Dr. Conrad Murray has hired a California criminal defense attorney as the investigation into his alleged role in Michael Jackson's death nears completion.
Attorney J. Michael Flanagan said Friday he was hired last week to join Houston attorney Edward Chernoff in representing Murray.
The news comes as The Associated Press learned that prosecutors plan to pursue an involuntary manslaughter indictment against the doctor.
Jackson died at his Los Angeles home in June while under Murray's care. The powerful anesthetic propofol was found in the singer's system.
Flanagan says he handled a case involving propofol several years ago. He also is familiar with the media spotlight, having represented Britney Spears when she was charged with hit and run.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LOS ANGELES (AP) _ Prosecutors are prepared to seek an indictment of Michael Jackson's doctor on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death, The Associated Press has learned.
A law enforcement source who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation remains open said Friday that Conrad Murray would be prosecuted on a theory of gross negligence alleging that his treatment of Jackson was an extreme departure from the standard of care normally followed by physicians.
The coroner has ruled Jackson's death at age 50 a homicide with his death caused by acute intoxication of the powerful anesthetic propofol with other sedatives a contributing factor.
Propofol depresses breathing and the heart rate and lowers blood pressure so it's supposed to be administered by an anesthesia professional in a medical setting.
The coroner found the propofol was administered to Jackson without any medical need and that recommended resuscitation equipment was missing. The singer was found to be in relatively good health for a man his age and no illegal drugs were detected in his system.
Murray, a cardiologist, was with the star at his rented Los Angeles mansion in June and tried to revive him when he was found unconscious.
Miranda Sevcik, a spokeswoman in Houston for Murray and his lawyer, Edward Chernoff, said Friday the doctor had no comment and reiterated he neither prescribed nor administered anything that should have killed Michael Jackson.
Jackson died while under Murray's care as the singer prepared for an ambitious concert schedule.
The district attorney's office is waiting for Los Angeles police to turn over the case before presenting it to a grand jury, the person said.
A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, however, denied that any decisions have been made.
"We have been working closely with the Los Angeles police during the pendency of this investigation," spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. "There is no case before us at present and no final decision has been made."
To prove a charge of involuntary manslaughter, authorities must show there was a reckless action that created a risk of death or great bodily injury. If a doctor is aware of the risk, there might also be an issue of whether the patient knows that risk and decided to take it.
A large number of witnesses have been interviewed by police, including those who were present during Jackson's last days and those who worked with him in preparation for his comeback concert, "This Is It."
Authorities have also lined up medical expert witnesses who will testify about the normal standard of care in a situation such as Jackson's and will give opinions on why Murray's actions constituted gross negligence, the person said.
The police investigation was substantially completed by the end of December, the person said.
Murray's professional history is expected to be explored during a trial with an emphasis on whether he had the required expertise in administering propofol.
The timing of an indictment will be dictated by two factors _ how long it takes for the district attorney's office to conduct an internal review of the evidence and when the grand jury will be available to hear the case.
The person said it was thought that it would be more efficient to go to a grand jury than to charge Murray and proceed by way of a preliminary hearing. A presentation to the grand jury where witnesses testify behind closed doors could take three to five days.
Murray has offices in Las Vegas and Houston. He was hired by Jackson not long before the pop star's death to travel with him on the tour that was to begin in London.
_ Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this story.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Gumby animator Art Clokey dies at 88 in California AP - 40 minutes ago
Indian cinema banks on its history for Oscar success AFP - 1 hour 17 minutes ago
Giuliani: No domestic terror attacks under Bush AP - Saturday, January 9
Marvel sues to keep Spider-Man, X-Men copyrights AP - Saturday, January 9
Ex-UCLA researcher pleads guilty to record breach AP - Saturday, January 9
News Search
Top Stories
Britain faces toughest cuts for 20 years: Darling
Weak US jobs report highlights sluggish recovery
Unemployment hits 10% across eurozone
Formula One boss launches Saab rescue bid: reports
Argentine bank chief resigns, vows legal action
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Hugh Grant sets marriage as New Year's resolution
Formula One boss launches Saab rescue bid: reports
New for 2010: anti-wrinkle bras, protein undies
Weak US jobs report highlights sluggish recovery
Unemployment hits 10% across eurozone
More Most Viewed »
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Beat the blues by going to bed early: study
Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Saturday, 9 January 2010 NATO forces capture huge cache of drugs, weapons
German bank card glitch resolved: retailers
Shots fired at leading Iranian opposition figure
GM will still consider offers for Saab as liquidation begins
Google wants to buy, sell electricity in US
Harsh winter hits Yemenis fleeing conflict: ICRC
|
Iraq Sunni leader will appeal March election ban
Amazon in the sights of e-reader rivals
Immigrants riot in Italy amid racial unrest
|
Shots fired at Iran opposition leader Karoubi -report
US sheds 85,000 jobs, highlighting sluggish recovery
White House pushes health, energy, education innovation
US-TECH Summary
Rockets fired at U.S. consulate site in Afghan city
|
Google seeks U.S. approval to trade wholesale power
Egypt bars George Galloway from country
Greenpeace issues 'green' grades to Apple, Nokia
Five Iranians facing trial belong to exile group: report
|
Greenpeace issues 'green' grades to Apple, Nokia
First Georgian plane since war lands in Moscow
|
US troops, kin face cuts in base services
Apple tablet supply chain points to Q2 launch: sources
|
Del. governor wants review of pediatrician case
Palm shares jump on CES, 2010 seen turnaround year
|
Recall: Books with bad do-it-yourself advice
Oil tops China-Nigeria talks agenda
NY cops: Girl, sitter shot to death, dad arrested
India boosts ties with Africa
Man charged in plane attack arrives at Mich. court
Video stirs call for Sri Lanka war crimes probe
Prius No. 1 in Japan sales as green interest grows
Prosecutor: Fake agent had faked police ID before
Qualcomm to support Google's Chrome OS
|
KFC pulls Australian ad over US racism complaints
Probation upheld for SC man in Maserati death
Google seeks U.S. approval to trade wholesale power
|
Icy hazards persist through US, deep into South
Blast kills eight insurgents at Pakistan militant safe house
CDC: Swine flu now widespread only in 1 state
Suspected rebels killed in Indian Kashmir shootout
UBS whistle-blower reports to Pa. federal prison
Myanmar issues death sentences for document leaks
Abbott, Boston Scientific stent approved in Japan
Bank of Korea keeps interest rate at record low
China overtakes Germany as top world exporter
Pakistani rupee at record low; stocks up
Pianist Lang Lang to star in Chopin animation
Shanghai Expo unleashes architects' playful side
Tourists wrestle with rights issues in Myanmar
Vampire Weekend go Mexican in new album
Wool hats over bikinis in freezing Florida
Head of Los Angeles Getty Museum steps down
Zanzibar blackout to last six more weeks: minister
Tobey Maguire talks `Spider-Man' production delay
Fox's 'Little Genius' quiz show yanked by producer
Iraqi archaeologists find ancient Sumerian settlement
KFC Australia: Americans Misinterpreted Ad As Racist
Nickel Featured On 'Hawaii Five-O' Sells For $3.7 Million
Lovers Cause Security Breach At Newark Liberty International Airport
Orlando Cop Facing Charges For Squeezing Lactating Mom's Breast Outside Of Nightclub
BC Driver, Quebec Resident Share Top Lotto Jackpot
Iraq Sunni leader will appeal March election ban
Britain faces toughest cuts for 20 years: Darling
UK police arrest 3 passengers on plane at Heathrow
|
U.S. pushes Sudan on election preparations
EU anti-terror chief favours airport body scanners
Weak US jobs report highlights sluggish recovery
Next version of Nexus will be enterprise phone
Chavez says Venezuela jets intercepted U.S. plane
|
E-reader makers seek bestseller but may end up duds
Shots fired at leading Iranian opposition figure
3 held over 'bomb threat' on London plane: police
U.S. urges new Mideast peace talks, focus on borders
|
New Samsung remote control features TV screen
Policeman critical after bomb in tense N.Ireland
GetJar smartphone app shop closes in on a billion downloads
Pakistan renews call for end to U.S. drone strikes
|
Former BetOnSports CEO gets 33 months in US prison
EU must be 'demanding' with Cuba: Spain
Karzai to present new cabinet nominees Saturday
|
Togo team should not have taken bus: local official
|
Microsoft appeals Word patent case once more
U.S. warns of attack on Sudan-Uganda flights
|
Spain presents new Internet anti-piracy law
Venezuela's Chavez devalues currency
|
Sanyo rolls electric bicycles into US market
Barefoot faithful parade Christ statue through Manila
|
BlackBerry presents PowerPoint for 'road warriors'
New Samsung remote control features TV screen
Twitter hiring workers to turn Tweets into money
|
Next version of Nexus will be enterprise phone
|
Clinton urges resumption of Mideast talks
E-reader makers seek bestseller but may end up duds
|
Thai Airways aborts flight over cracked windshield
Authorities raid American Samoa immigration office
Border Patrol: Man claims he's illegal immigrant
Microsoft appeals Word patent case once more
|
Report: Man believed to be SKorean enters NKorea
Wickmayer wins WTA Auckland Classic
Calif. authorities told to return 60 lbs. of pot
Philippines prays for disaster-free year
Report: Grand jury apparently probes gate-crashers
Feds reopen probe in Alaska whistleblower case
NATO says 2 service members dead in Afghanistan
Chavez says Venezuela jets intercepted U.S. plane
Calif. gay marriage defendant wants out of case
Mexico says immigration reform unlikely in 2010
Religious feud in Malaysia turns violent
Pakistani officials: Suspected US missiles kill 4
Official says 12 people killed in China mine fire
Japanese fisherman reels in largemouth bass, ties record
Uighur man stabbed to death in south China
US solar company to build power plants in China
Reports: JAL could file for bankruptcy on Jan. 19
Qantas chief says Vietnam pair have done nothing wrong
Giuliani: No domestic terror attacks under Bush
Idol judge Jackson calls Cowell rumors distracting
|
Marvel sues to keep Spider-Man, X-Men copyrights
Wash. Sen. Murray leading Senate trip to China
Ex-UCLA researcher pleads guilty to record breach
Official says no charge yet against Jackson doctor
|
Police: Stern sidekick Artie Lange stabbed himself
Elvis Presley feted in Memphis on 75th birthday
|
"Idol" judge Jackson calls Cowell rumors distracting
Elvis Presley feted in Memphis on 75th birthday
Michael Jackson's doctor hires defense attorney
Senate Seeks to Prevent Witness Intimidation
Vice President Joe Biden's Mother Dies At Age 92
Randy Jackson: No Lambert clone on next 'Idol'
Not Guilty Plea Entered For Alleged "Underwear Bomber"
Pennsylvania Gov. Signs Bill Legalizing Gambling Table Games
Official says no charge yet against Jackson doctor
Authorities Arrest Two Men In NYC Terror Plot
Pink technology put porn viewers into virtual action
U.S., Jordan Agree On Urgent Need For Palestine State
Obama Allocates $2.3 Billion for New Clean-Tech Manufacturing Jobs
Vanessa Hudgens Files Lawsuit Against Website
Amid Talk Of Divorce, Tiger Woods' Wife Hauls Boxes From Golfer's Offices
401(k) Vital Signs Revisited By Mutual Fund Pundits
Taser adds mobile phone monitoring tool to its arsenal
Europe shivers as cold snap brings travel misery
U.S. warns of attack threat to Sudan-Uganda flights
CIA bomber video calls for attacks on U.S
|
Ellen Barkin Wins $4.3 Million From Ex-Husband For Film Company Deal
Former Playboy Mansion Party Planner Sues Hugh Hefner For Unfair Dismissal
Iran's Ahmadinejad dismisses nuclear sanctions
Jordan bomber long aspired for jihad: relatives
|
James Cameron, Quentin Tarantino Among DGA Award Nominees
Iran Supreme Leader urges firm action over riots
|
Sudan dismisses warnings by activists of possible war
Iran releases German, to free Syrian held over riots
'Jordan bomber' said CIA attack was 'revenge': video
Lady Gaga Hired As "Creative Director" And "Inventor" Of Polaroid
Afghan president resubmits cabinet nominees
Tiger Woods Mistress Alleges Twist In Sex Scandal
Britain mulls pullback from part of Afghan region: report
Iraq confiscates arms in private security crackdown
|
Ke$ha Spends Third Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100
Gary Coleman Taken To The Hospital
Roman Polanski Requesting Sentence In Absentia
Sudan dismisses warnings by activists of possible war
|
Iran releases German, to free Syrian held over riots
|
People Choice Awards Honors Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, Taylors Swift And Lautner
Kevin Bacon To Receive Honorary Distinction At Critics' Choice Movie Awards
Fourth church attacked in Malaysia as Allah row deepens
|
CIA bomber video calls for attacks on U.S
Taiwan's ruling party defeated in by-elections
Obama gets head start on promoting health overhaul
Indian set on fire in latest Australia attack
Palestinians list preconditions for peace talks
Fourth Malaysian church attacked in 'Allah' feud
The nation's weather
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist arrested
O'Brien may find door open at Fox if he bolts NBC
Clashes break out in Indian Kashmir over killing
Analysis: Obama's buck-stopping goes only so far
6 arrested in HK over $3M Tokyo jewelry heist
Second suspect in NYC terror probe due in court
Strong earthquake strikes near Solomon Islands
Xe Services aiming for Afghan police training deal
Man arrested in Newark airport security breach
Filipinos honor Black Nazarene in annual festival
CIA director defends agency against criticism
eSolar strikes deal to build power plants in China
JAL set to file for bankruptcy on January 19: reports
Pakistani c.bank buys 92.55 bln rupees of govt paper
Conan may find door open at Fox if he bolts NBC
Gumby animator Art Clokey dies at 88 in California
Indian cinema banks on its history for Oscar success
Hillary Highlights Role Of U.S. In Supporting Women Rights
EPA Sets Strictest Smog Limits To Save $100 Billion In Health Cost
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights