Last summer, after Michael Jackson's death, there were many
criminal defense law experts predicting that his death could potentially raise medical malpractice and criminal liability issues. There was early speculation that
prescription medications could have contributed to his death. This speculation immediately raised many questions. First is whether the prescription medications were all prescribed by a single doctor. If true, the doctor could be exposed to prosecution for
involuntary manslaughter, revocation of his medical license or a civil suit. If there were multiple doctors were involved, any lawsuit needed to address the issue of whether or not the doctors knew about each other and the exact medications that were prescribed. Other potential targets of criminal or civil prosecution included the pharmacists who filled the prescriptions, though they would probably have immunity for just following the doctors' orders.
That was then, this is now.
On February 8, 2010, Michael Jackson's doctor was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter by the
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Prosecutor's allege that Dr. Conrad Murray administered a combination of surgical anesthetic and sedatives that caused the pop star's death in the summer of 2009.
The complaint filed in
Los Angeles Superior Court accuses the doctor, a cardiologist who was hired to care for the pop icon during a very ambitious comeback attempt, of causing his death by acting "without due caution and circumspection." The criminal case came after a seven-month investigation that started in Michael Jackson's bedroom in his Holmby Hills mansion...all the way to Dr. Murray's heart clinic in Houston, Texas.
During the investigation,
Los Angeles Poilce detectives assigned to the case described the doctor as a
manslaughter suspect and said he admitted leaving Jackson alone and under in influence of propofol, a powerful anesthetic used to render surgical patients unconscious.
The
Los Angeles Coroner's Office ruled the death a
homicide and said the cause was "acute propofol intoxication" in conjunction with effects of other sedatives Dr. Murray admitted he provided.
Involuntary manslaughter is the least serious charge available to prosecutors. It's maximun criminal exposure is four years, far less than the life sentence for
murder or the 11 years for voluntary manslaughter.
If you are facing
involuntary manslaughter or any criminal charges in
Los Angeles County,
San Fernando Valley or
Ventura County courtrooms, it's absolutely crucial that you that you contact the
Goldstein Law Group. Without representation of a skilled and experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer, there is a much higher chance that you will be convicted of your charges.
Goldstein Law Group, a father and son tradition, has two generations and more than 46 years of combined experience in Los Angeles County criminal law.
James A. Goldstein and
Michael A. Goldstein have defended literally thousands of clients, and have helped countless people avoid criminal convictions that would have been devastating to their future. We strongly believe in the phrase, “innocent until proven guilty,” and are very serious about our duty to prove our clients’ innocence.
Contact us today for a FREE CONSULTATION!