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Jackson’s physician hires another lawyer
by Jamie Anderson - January 9, 2010 - comments
Dr. Conrad Murray, seen with Michael Jackson, is a Las Vegas-based cardiologist who was with the pop singer when he died after receiving a lethal cocktail of painkillers and anesthetics
Los Angeles, CA., January 9 -- Michael Jackson’s death continues to haunt his former personal physician. Seven months after the death of the pop icon, Dr. Conrad Murray faces involuntary manslaughter charges for his role in the death that reportedly occurred due to drug overdose.
Dr. Murray has already conceded that he administered the anesthetic Propofol to the now dead celebrity. The doctor, if charged, will be prosecuted for gross negligence.
A district attorney confirmed Friday that no decision regarding these charges have been made in Murray's case.
Dr. Murray's chief attorney, Ed Chernoff, said "We have refused to comment on stories involving unnamed sources and will continue to do so.”
“However, we can confirm that we have not received notice of an impaneled grand jury and Dr. Murray has not been invited to testify," maintained Chernoff.
Flangan experience may help Murray
But the doctor is playing it safe. In order to defend himself, Dr. Murray has hired another legal gun. Glendale lawyer Michael Flanagan has joined the doctor’s lawyer team, led by Ed Chernoff.
In 2004, Flanagan won an acquittal for a Southern California nurse who was faced similar charges after administering an inappropriate dose of the potent anesthetic propofol to a patient.
Flanagan had, at the time of acquittal of his client, said that the adjudicators were convinced that the patient’s death was caused by “a mistake in judgment,” and not by manslaughter.
Dr. Murray will be hoping with his fingers crossed that Flanagan can convince the jury one more time.
Equal odds
Criminal defense attorney, Emily Munoz, who has defended high-profile clients, opined, "This is a unique case in that not everyone likes Michael Jackson. So, they might have sympathy for the doctor, as opposed to the victim."
"I don't think that the international media firestorm that Michael Jackson's death caused - I don't think he can get a fair trail anywhere," added Munoz.
While Munoz’s opinion, who knows quite a bit about such high profile cases that grab nation media attention, may hold a lot of water, the prime hurdle Dr. Murray faces is prevailing over his former patient's fame.
Michael Jackson died due to cardiac arrest at his home in Holmby Hills, on June 25, 2009. His death triggered an outpouring of unhappiness worldwide.
On August 28, the LA County Coroner had termed Jackson's death as a homicide.
In October, the coroner's office declared that Jackson had died from an overdose of the hospital-grade anesthetic propofol.