One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Jackson's Doctor Pleads Not Guilty, Speedy Trial May be Televised
Dr. Conrad Murray in 2009 (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)
Dr. Conrad Murray said "Your, honor, I am an innocent man..." and plead not guilty today to involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Michael Jackson, according to LA Now. After entering his plea, Murray, whose medical license has been suspended, invoked his right to a speedy trial which would force the case to begin by March 28. Judge Michael Pastor commented on how rare it is for a defendant to push for a quick trial but honored the request and set jury selection for March 28.
Judge Pastor also shared that he is inclined to allow the trial to be televised, which is expected to last two months.
Earlier this month, Murray's attorneys said they had evidence that Michael Jackson self-injected or drank the fatal dose of surgical anesthetic propofol when the doctor wasn't looking.
Hours before Dr. Conrad Murray appeared in court for his arraignment, a homeless person was found dead on the court grounds.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
