Dr. Conrad Murray To Be Indicted for Death Of Michael Jackson
Prosecutors are planning to indict Dr. Conrad Murray for the death of Michael Jackson. Dr. Conrad Murray is a cardiologist that was with the pop singer when he reportedly died from complications of mixing painkillers with anesthetics.
ABC News reports that prosecutors are preparing to indict Michael Jackson's doctor for involuntary manslaughter of the star. The doctor was hired by the Prince of Pop as his personal physician for his comeback concert tour.
According to the AP, an anonymous law enforcement source has said that the Dr. Conrad Murray could be prosecuted because his actions surrounding the pop star were so far removed from the standard of care a reasonable physician would give a patient. He would be prosecuted under the theory of gross negligence.
The death of Michael Jackson was ruled as a homicide due to acute intoxication of mixing painkillers with anesthetics such as hospital grade propofol. The coroner also found that the singer had benzodiazepine in his body, which is a very strong sedative.
Currently, the official word on the case is that Dr. Conrad Murray is not charged with anything. ABC News quoted Jane Robison, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles DA's office as saying, "We don't have a case. It hasn't been presented. Don't know when we'll get it."
While the DA's office is remaining mum on the case, it brings up the question:
What is Gross Negligence?
While the concept applies outside of medical situations as well, "gross negligence" is used to describe conduct of a medical professional that is so reckless, that its danger would seem readily apparent even to a layman who has had little or no medical training. Some examples of gross negligence include: leaving a surgical tool inside the body of a patient, operating on the wrong side of the patient's body, or amputating the wrong limb.
For now, Dr. Conrad Murray can breathe a sigh of relief, but he still has ghosts from the past to deal with. According to ABC News, he has lawsuits for unpaid business bills, he has failed to pay his student loans, and he has failed to pay child support.
Related Resources:
- State Law Summaries: Medical Malpractice and Reform (Findlaw)
- Gross Negligence and Lack of "Informed Consent" (Findlaw)
- Michael Jackson Death: Drugs, Foul Play, Both? (Findlaw Blotter)
- AP: Michael Jackson Death Ruled a Homicide (Findlaw Blotter)
- Classifications of Crimes (provided by Dickman Law Offices PSC)
- Medical Malpractice (provided by The Law Offices of Mark A. Kaire PA)