Southern California Defense Blog

Wallin and Klarich repeatedly warns all of their clients and prospective clients NEVER to speak to law enforcement. When we say NEVER we mean NEVER. Dr. Conrad Murray was accused of being responsible for the death of Michael Jackson. He retained a lawyer. He then along with his lawyer went down to the Los Angeles Police Department and gave a complete statement. The District Attorney then was able to play that statement to the jury. The statement made by Dr. Murray was very damaging and there is little doubt that it played a key factor in the jury finding him guilty today of involuntary manslaughter. He know faces up to four years in jail.

Why Dr. Murray’s lawyer decided to have him speak to the police is something that he will have to explain. Time and time again when suspects think they can “outsmart” the police they make a very risky gamble that almost always ends up with their gamble ending up in a guilty verdict when the case goes to trial.

Please for your own benefit and the benefit of your freedom and your future, take our advice. NEVER, EVER, EVER speak to the police. If you are suspected of having committed any crime contact our law firm immediately.

Call us toll free at 877-466-5245 or go to wklaw.com for more information. Clients that follow our advice most often enjoy a clean criminal record and being able to go anywhere they wish because they are not behind bars. Those that do not follow our advice often find themselves in jail or prison.

You come home from work, only to find your wife in bed with another man. In a sudden burst of rage, you kill them both. Another scenario is that a huge bar brawl breaks out, in the commotion you smash a pool cue over someone’s head and he dies. Despite the fact that this sounds like murder, it's probably not. Under California law, it's more likely to constitute voluntary manslaughter.
California's voluntary manslaughter laws apply to killings that you commit

1. during a sudden quarrel, or
2. in the heat of passion.

Prosecutors rarely file Penal Code 192 (a) voluntary manslaughter as a separate charge. The offense usually comes up in murder cases, where the accused admits to killing the victim, but seeks have the charge reduced from murder to manslaughter.
If the charge is reduced to manslaughter, the defendant faces a maximum of 11 years in prison. With murder, by contrast, he faces a potential life sentence...or sometimes even execution.

If you or a loved one have been charged with voluntary manslaughter contact the experienced Southern California criminal defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich. We’ve have been helping criminal defendants for over 30 years. Call us at (888) 280-6839 or visit us at www.wklaw.com.

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.

Continue reading "Michael Jackson's Doctor Pleads Not Guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter Charges" »