Conrad Murray Pleads Not Guilty

By Brian Scott
Jan 25 2011

Doctor Conrad Murray was in a California court this morning where he pled not guilty to manslaughter charges stemming from the death of pop singer Michael Jackson.

Murray stands accused of overdosing the world’s most popular pop singer with Propofol, a powerful sedative that is often used in hospitals during surgery. Murray has denied using the drug on Jackson but did say that he commonly used it in the treatment of chronic back pain and other such maladies.

The hearing this morning was the first after the judge in the case determined that there was enough evidence to support a trial for manslaughter. However, the hearing got off to a late start thanks to the fact that a dead body was found on the grounds of the courthouse.

According to security personnel they have a regular morning task which is removing all of the homeless that have gathered outside to sleep on the benches. When they attempted to roust one man they discovered that he was dead. The police were called and the building was cleared but they found no signs of foul play. They believe that the man died of natural causes in his sleep.

After the hearing was started things moved rather quickly. Murray was only required to give his plea and then the judge set further dates for motions and so on in the case.

If convicted Murray could be sentenced to 25 years or more in prison on the manslaughter charges.