Michael Jackson’s former personal physician Dr
Conrad Murray has been given the maximum permissible sentence of four years in jail after being found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of the pop star two-and-a-half years ago.
Murray sat motionless and stoney-faced as his sentence was handed down by Judge Michael Pastor, although at one stage later in the sentencing hearing he looked close to tears.
Having been found guilty of the crime earlier this month following a six-week trial, Murray was eligible for probation.
However, the Lose Angeles Superior Court ruled he was unsuitable because he had been shown to have demonstrated a ‘continuous pattern of lies and deceit’ during the trial.
It was also noted by LA Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, for the prosecution, that Murray had shown ‘no remorse’ for Mr Jackson’s death. In a pre-sentencing memorandum, he added: ‘It is the people’s opinion that prison is warranted.’
However, defence lawyer Ed Chernoff, who argued for community service on probation, claimed Murray would already be serving ‘a lifetime sentence of self-punishment’ in being known as ‘the man who killed Michael Jackson’.
A separate hearing will take place in January to discuss whether Murray must make restitution payments to the Jackson family.
Murray could also be struck off as a result of the case and refused future permission to practise medicine in the United States.