Michael Jackson's Doctor Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter Charges
On February 8, 2010 Michael Jackson’s Doctor has plead not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who was with Michael Jackson when he died on June 25, 2009, was accused today of being criminally responsible for his death.
Dr. Murray has been accused of giving Michael Jackson a lethal dose of propofol, an anesthetic that is used for sedation. It is believed by some that Michael Jackson was addicted to propofol, which he used to help him sleep.
Although Dr. Murray is accused of being responsible for the death of Michael Jackson, he is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Involuntary manslaughter is different from murder.
Murder is the when someone commits an act that caused the death of another person with malice aforethought. Malice aforethought is a state of mind. It requires knowledge that through an action or omission, the result will be someone’s death. Malice can be expressed or implied. It is expressed when someone shows a deliberate intention to kill someone. It can be implied when there is no considerable provocation or when the circumstances show an abandoned or malignant heart.
First degree murder is a type of murder. First degree murder is usually charged when the killing was done with deliberation and premeditation. This means that the killing was planned out by the defendant. The punishment for first degree murder can be punished by death, life imprisonment, or 25 years to life imprisonment. See California Penal Code Section 190. In this case, Dr. Murray is not accused of killing Michael Jackson with deliberation or premeditation. This is why Dr. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter.
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