Michael Jackson’s doctor, Murray, loses appeal

A US court has rejected Conrad Murray’s bid to
have his conviction for the involuntary
manslaughter of Michael Jackson overturned.
The Los Angeles appeal court ruled there was
substantial evidence of guilt laid out at his trial in
2011.
Murray was sentenced to four years in jail, but was
released last October after serving two years of
his term.
The ex-medic was convicted of administering a
lethal dose of an anaesthetic drug to Jackson in
2009.
In a ruling amounting to 68 pages, the court said
the pop star “was a vulnerable victim and that
[Murray] was in a position of trust, and violated the
trust relationship by breaching standards of
professional conduct in numerous respects.”"
The court also said imposing the maximum
sentence of four years at the original trial was
right, as the evidence revealed a “callous
disregard” for the singer’s health and safety.
They added that it was clear that Murray
“administered a number of dangerous drugs to Mr.
Jackson without the appropriate medical
equipment, precautions or personnel in place”.
Their ruling also concluded that Murray had been
wrong to leave Jackson unattended at the time.
Murray’s appeal argued that the trial judge had
excluded jurors from hearing evidence.
It was also argued that the judge quashed attempts
by Murray’s lawyers to introduce arguments about
other doctors who had treated Jackson.
His legal representative Valerie Wass said that
Murray’s intention is to take the matter to a higher
court.
In a separate development, the insurers of
Jackson’s This Is It tour have settled with the late
singer’s estate over a policy amounting to $17.5m
(£10.1m).
The wrangle over the matter was due to go to trial
next month.
The policy was taken out to insure against
postponement or cancellation of the series of
London concerts. Jackson died of a drugs
overdose while preparing for the shows.
Lloyd’s of London had asked for the policy to be
declared null and void, saying they were not told
that the star was taking powerful medication.
Details of the settlement have not been disclosed.
A series of legal cases have taken place since
Jackson’s death more than four years ago.
Earlier this week, his family’s bid to launch a
second wrongful death trial against concert
promoters AEG Live was turned down.
The company were responsible for hiring Murray
as Jackson’s personal physician.
In the first trial in October, the jury concluded that
the former doctor had been fit for the job when he
was originally employed.