Conrad Murray Files Appeal On His Ruling! Wants To Be Released From Jail In The Meantime!

He really still thinks he can slither his way out of this one, doesn't he?

Dr. Conrad Murray, who was sentenced to fours in prison in November for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, has filed legal documents to appeal his conviction, on the basis of "improper exclusion of defense evidence and witnesses that resulted in violating the defendant's State and constitutional rights to due process, to present a defense and to the effective assistance of counsel," and is even requesting that pending the ruling, he be released from jail!

Oh, but don't worry! He's willing to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet!

How flexible of him!

Yeesh! If he wants to appeal, that's his prerogative, but we think he should stay right where he is!

[Image via WENN.]

Family of Michael Jackson No Longer Seeking Money From Dr. Conrad Murray

Michael Jackson's family has apparently realized the obvious:

As much as they want Dr. Conrad Murray to pay dearly for his role in the King of Pop's death, the physician is flat broke and the music icon is worth nine figures.

You can't get blood from a stone, and thus, prosecutors will no longer seek more than $100 million in restitution from Murray at the request of Jackson's family.

A rep for the L.A. County D.A.'s Office says prosecutors withdrew the motion and a hearing scheduled for Monday has been called off at the family's request.

Murray was convicted and sentenced for involuntary manslaughter last year.

Murray, who's already serving his four-year jail sentence for his role in the death of MJ, is basically broke, with a revoked medical license halting future income.

It's unclear how he plans to earn money once he's released, but he fought having to pay restitution and it appears MJ's family concluded it wasn't worth it.

The time and legal fees necessary to battle for scraps that wouldn't change the family standard of living, or more importantly bring MJ back, was fruitless.

Dr. Conrad Murray: You Want Me to Pay, Too?!

Dr. Conrad Murray wants the judge in his criminal manslaughter case to deny Michael Jackson's family restitution, arguing that MJ was responsible for his demise.

Murray was convicted and sentenced for involuntary manslaughter already. That is set in stone. However, he is still fighting the restitution the star's family seeks.

Murray is asking for evidence the defense never received during the trial - evidence he claims could show Michael self-administered the fatal dose of Propofol.

Murray's lawyer, J. Michael Flanagan, argues that - guilty verdict aside - in deciding how much restitution the family gets, the victim's responsibility matters.

So Murray will concede he's partly to blame (he can't argue otherwise because of the conviction) but he still wants to prove that Jackson caused his own death.

The prosecution is asking for around $100 million in restitution, but the judge hasn't decided on a figure. The level of culpability will ultimately play into that.

Once the figure is set, if Flanagan gets his way and the judge were to decide MJ was 50 percent responsible, the judge would reduce restitution by 50 percent.

Also complicating matters? Murray is pretty much broke, and if anything, Jackson's family has profited from his (Read more...)

Dr. Conrad Murray: Handcuffed, Shackled IN Jail!

A cash-strapped Conrad Murray is asking for court-appointed attorney for his appeal process, and doesn't seem to be enjoying his jail experience so far.

Not that anyone would, but this is an extreme case, he says.

Murray's previous attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, is outraged and says that "it is crazy and unbelievable how [the sheriffs] are treating" Murray in jail. 

Flanagan says after waiting for over an hour to visit Murray, he arrived with his feet and hands cuffed, then was shackled to the table for their meeting.

"I've never seen something like this before," for someone serving this crime, the attorney says, adding that his cell is next to a guy in jail for a gang murder. 

Murray filed an appeal yesterday. Michael Jackson's former doc stated that he is "indigent and respectfully requests the appointment of counsel on appeal."

He was convicted last month of involuntary manslaughter in the 2009 death of Michael Jackson and was ordered to serve four years in a L.A. County jail.

He intends to appeal his conviction, but does not have an attorney to work with to argue his case. Flanagan says he personally doesn't handle appeals.

Flanagan says he has offered (Read more...)

Dr. Conrad Murray to Appeal Manslaughter Conviction

Following the maximum four-year sentence handed down on him this week, Dr. Conrad Murray has filed an appeal to challenge his conviction for manslaughter.

Murray, as you almost know, was implicated in the death of Michael Jackson and was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter this fall after an exhaustive case.

The embattled physician filed the document in pro per, which means he's representing himself instead of using a lawyer. In his trial, he used multiple lawyers.

Dr. Conrad Murray Sentencing

On the portion of the document where a lawyer will usually state his or her firm's contact info, Murray lists "Men's Central Jail" and includes his booking number.

While he is representing himself in the appeal, Murray is still communicating with one of the lawyers who repped him in the manslaughter trial, Nareg Gourjian.

Gourjian says of his chances, "This case presents a gold mine of issues for any appellate lawyer. Dr. Murray is confident the Court of Appeal will vindicate him."

Mmmyeah. Not so sure there. Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, not murder, and four years in jail seems fair. Some say it's not long enough.

The prosecution also provided so much evidence linking Jackson's death (Read more...)

Dr. Conrad Murray: STILL No Regrets!

Despite its role in earning him a four-year prison sentence, Dr. Conrad Murray doesn't regret for a second filming the now-infamous documentary about his trial.

In said documentary, he said he didn't regret his actions because he didn't do anything wrong ... a jury disagreed and convicted him of involuntary manslaughter.

The making of the film, which was released after Murray's conviction but before his sentencing, in the Michael Jackson death trial, infuriated Judge Michael Pastor.

Murray's lawyers freely admit he needed the money, but the Conrad Murray documentary was made primarily so that the public could hear his side of the story.

Maybe he should've tried testifying trial OR sentencing then. Eh, whatever.

The 56-year-old physician told friends and family that he knew he was going to get the maximum sentence, and that the documentary didn't play a role.

Thus, it didn't bother him that Pastor lambasted him over the things he said in the film, in particular, trashing MJ and not taking blame for his actions.

Moreover, Murray is "surprisingly upbeat" about the sentence, telling a friend, "I'm just relieved it's over," adding, "Don't worry, I'm fine, I'll be out soon."

Too soon, according to (Read more...)

Conrad Murray’s Defense Lawyer Calls His Documentary That Never Sold A ‘Mistake’

Remember that Dr. Conrad Murray documentary that was being shopped around to various news outlets like CNN and NBC after the convicted killer of Michael Jackson sold the story rights to a production company?

Well, it turns out his lawyer didn't think that was such a hot idea. In fact, defense attorney J. Michael Flanagan told sources it was a flat out "mistake" and never approved of it.

However, he says that the doctor really needed the money because "the judge back in January had basically forclosed Dr. Murray's ability to earn a living" after suspending his medical license.

Flanagan goes on to say that with no savings in store to deal with such an expensive trial, "the documentary did front some of the cost for his defense."

In the end, it was waste. If Murray had known he was going to get 4 years in the slammer for administering the drugs that led to the King of Pop's death, maybe he would have put it to better use and given it to his family.

Michael Jackson Family on Conrad Murray Sentence: Not Long Enough!

Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced to four years behind bars today, the longest possible prison term for involuntary manslaughter. Needless to say, Michael Jackson's family is adamant that he deserves every day of that sentence, and then some.

His mother, Katherine Jackson, made that abundantly clear in recent weeks.

In Murray's official Probation Report, Katherine lashes out at Murray for his documentary, in which he lays blame on Michael and denies any wrongdoing.

Katherine feels Murray's four-year sentence is "insufficient."

The report says, "During filming, he repeatedly stated that he did nothing wrong. Ms. Jackson feels this adds insult to injury, and shows he is clearly not remorseful."

The Jackson family matriarch also says she's "deeply insulted" that on the anniversary of Michael's death, Murray arranged to be photographed at the cemetery.

Michael's parents, siblings and children issued a joint statement begging Judge Michael Pastor to make Conrad Murray pay for his crime, which he did today.

At the same time, the family insists revenge is not their motive.

The statement reads, "There is no way to adequately describe the loss of our beloved father, son, brother and friend. We still look at each other in disbelief."

"Is it (Read more...)

The Face Of A Murder: Conrad Murray’s Mugshot!

Someone doesn't look very happy to be slapped with a maximum sentence!

This afternoon, Dr. Conrad Murray was officially charged and sentenced for the death of Michael Jackson. This picture was taken of the Doc moments after the judge sentenced him to four years in county jail for administering the drugs that led to the King of Pop's end.

He's certainly dressed nicely in his mugshot. Hey, how come Lindsay always has to wear that horrid orange jumpsuit when she takes her pics?

How Conrad Murray’s Sentencing Played Out

Dear LA County Judges: THIS is an sentencing!

As we just reported, Dr. Conrad Murray was handed down the maximum sentencing of four years in prison for being found guilty of the murder of Michael Jackson. Judge Michael Pastor walked into the courtroom with a vengeance and fire, having every intention of throwing the book at Dr. Murray for the crimes he committed.

He quickly denied Conrad probation, reiterating that "Michael Jackson died because of the actions of ... Dr. Murray," so he had no right to walk free. Furthermore, he repeatedly read Dr. Murray the riot act for the documentary he agreed to in which Conrad placed the blame on MJ for his own death. It was clear by the hearing's end that this doc weighed heavily in the judge's decision to toss the doctor in jail.

But as it is with most cases, Conrad will most likely not serve his full sentence. At present, it is speculated that he will serve about half and he will serve all of his time at the L.A. County Jail, not a maximum security prison. As for restitution, Judge Pastor ordered Dr. Murray to pay "appropriate restitution" to the Estate and (Read more...)