Dr. Conrad Murray Verdict: Defense Will Appeal After Nov. 29 Sentencing
Less than 24 hours after cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, his attorneys are already planning an appeal, but will first prepare for Murray's sentencing on Nov. 29.
Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian told CNN that Murray was "devasted" by the verdict but is "confident" that he will be released through an appeal.
Murray, who was hired as Jackson's personal physician to oversee his care during what was to be his last world tour, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and faces up to four years in prison in addition to a revocation of his medical license, but he will likely serve much less time behind bars because of overcrowding in California prisons.
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"What matters most right now is trying to keep Dr. Murray from taking up a prison cell in this community," said lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff. "That's what we're focusing on right now and we'll deal with an appeal after that."
The doctor allegedly injected Jackson with 100mg of propofol, four times the amount that a person may ingest safely, in order to help the pop star sleep.
The prosecution contended that not only was Conrad wrong to administer the anesthetic drug, which is only meant to be used in a hospital setting, but also that he is responsible for Jackson's death because he was not properly monitoring the star's condition and delayed making a 911 call for 20 minutes after realizing Jackson was not breathing.
Jackson's family, fans and other celebrities expressed content with the guilty verdict.
LaToya Jackson told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell as she left the courthouse, "Thank you, America. Thank you all the fans. Prosecution team, you were great. Everyone was wonderful...Michael loves everyone in the court here, and he was in the courtroom, and that is why justice was served."
