Can He Beat It? Dr Conrad Murray Charged in Michael Jackson’s Death

It took seven months for the long-anticipated arrest and charge of Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray. He was charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of his patient, pop icon Michael Jackson.

The criminal complaint, laid out in a five-page document, states that Dr Murray “did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson” by acting “without due caution and circumspection.”

If convicted, Murray could face up to four years in jail. Superior Court Judge

Keith L. Schwartz set bail at $75,000, much higher than normally set for people facing manslaughter charges. Murray can leave jail after posting bail and while his travel within the U.S. will not be restricted, he has to surrender his passport and will not be allowed to leave the country.

A few months before Michael Jackson started his comeback tour in England, Jackson hired Murray as his personal physician. Following the singers June 25, 2009, death, the Los Angeles coroner declared that Michael Jackson's death was the result of lethal doses of the drug propofol, a surgical anesthetic.

It is anticipated that Murray's legal team will mount a strong defense, but experts question whether he could get a fair trial. Others feel that Murray, who has pleaded not guilty, could get a light sentence if found guilty. As for the Jackson family,the manslaughter charge is not strong enough.