(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Dr. Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, and will stand trial on March 28.
The 50-year-old pop icon died on June 25 2009 of acute Propofol intoxication by intravenous injection of another. Propofol is a powerful anaesthetic usually given to surgery patients to help them sleep.
Murray has admitted giving Jackson some of the powerful anaesthetic, but insists it wasnt enough to kill him. His attorney Joseph Low has previously claimed the pop icon administered the Propofol himself and this is expected to be the main defence argument at trial.
The physician appeared at an arraignment hearing at the Los Angeles County Superior Court today, in front of Judge Michael Pastor. Wearing a black suit, he pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge, saying: I'm an innocent man, Your Honour.
A trial has been set for March 28.
Speaking outside the court, a man believed to be Murrays lawyer said: Dr. Murray is looking forward to the opportunity to finally tell his side of story. We have only two months to get ready for this.
In a preliminary hearing to decide if Murray should stand trial held earlier this month, the court was told Murray admitted to police he felt under pressure by Jackson to give him Propofol which he apparently took to help him sleep. In an interview, the physician alleged the singer liked to push in the Propofol himself.
However, evidence was also heard from coroner Dr. Christopher Rogers who claimed Jacksons death would be homicide even if he had administered the anaesthetic himself.
It has been alleged Murray took several phone calls when he should have been caring for Jackson, meaning he was distracted. He is also accused of failing to summon emergency services immediately after discovering Jackson was ill.
The court also heard he ordered 255 vials of Propofol in the three months before the star died, and gave him the substance six nights a week for two months before his death.
Jacksons mother Katherine was in court today, along with his brother Randy.
Earlier this morning, Katherine gave an interview to ABC News in which she discussed her feelings towards Murray. She admitted finding his preliminary hearing tough to deal with. She said it had stirred up unwanted feelings in her, making her remember Jacksons trial for child molestation in 2005. The star was acquitted of all counts after proceedings lasting five months.
It's been a difficult time for me ever since my son passed," she said. "When I'm in that courtroom I can't stand to look at [Murray]. I go because I love my son - I just feel I have to be there.
"It's the same way when they was accusing him of molesting, molestation... I was there every day."
Katherine also spoke about Michaels children Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael II, known as Blanket. She admitted Paris was already showing showbusiness tendencies, but she hasnt been allowed to realise them yet.
I wouldn't let [them] go into business at this early of age, like Paris wants to be an actress, she said. And I don't think Michael would have let her: he talked about [how] he didn't have a childhood, [how] he wanted to... play more." (C) Cover Media