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California court won't review Jackson doctor case

 

The California Supreme Court refused Wednesday to review the involuntary manslaughter conviction of Michael Jackson's doctor, rejecting his lawyer's petition without comment.

The decision by the state's highest court was the latest stop on Dr. Conrad Murray's legal odyssey. A state appeals court upheld his conviction earlier this year and then refused to reconsider its decision.

Attorney Valerie Waas said Murray will take his fight to federal court.

"We're greatly disappointed but we intend to pursue this in federal court," Waas said.

She said she telephoned Murray with the news and, "He said, 'The fight is not over.'"

Authorities said Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol in 2009 while the singer prepared for a series of comeback concerts.

Murray was convicted in 2011 and served two years in jail. He was released in October due to a change in California law requiring nonviolent offenders to serve their sentences in county jails and as a result of credits for good behavior.

The six-week trial focused on Murray's care of Jackson, including nightly doses of propofol to help the entertainer sleep.

The earlier appellate court decision said, "The evidence demonstrated that Mr. Jackson was a vulnerable victim and that (Murray) was in a position of trust, and that (Murray) violated the trust relationship by breaching standards of professional conduct in numerous respects."

Since his release, Murray has been traveling and spending time with family, "trying to get his life back together." Waas said.

She said the federal appeal she plans to file will focus on media coverage of the trial and exposure of the unsequestered jury to the Internet. Murray has maintained throughout his appeals that the jury should have been sequestered due to the flood of publicity surrounding the case.

Source: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/04/23/4860789/cal-supreme-court-refuses-to-review.html#.U1hhzvldWSq 

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Document of the ruling here: http://www.courts.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/B237677.PDF

Court upholds conviction of Michael Jackson doctor
ANTHONY McCARTNEY AP Entertainment Writer 01:51p.m. Jan 15, 2014

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An appellate court on Wednesday unanimously upheld the involuntary manslaughter conviction of Michael Jackson's doctor, determining there was substantial evidence of his guilt presented at trial.

The ruling by the California 2nd District Court of Appeal came less than three months after former cardiologist Conrad Murray was released. He served two years in jail for causing Jackson's 2009 death.

The 68-page ruling includes lengthy recitations of the evidence against Murray, who was convicted in 2011 of giving Jackson a lethal dose of the anesthetic propofol in June 2009 while the superstar was preparing for a series of comeback concerts titled "This Is It."

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November 7 , 2011 Verdict Day

On the second day of deliberations and after deliberating for 8.5 hours jurors reached to a verdict of GUILTY in Conrad Murray trial. DA Walgren asked Conrad Murray to be remanded without bail. Judge Pastor citing that Murray was a danger to the public and he had contacts out of State of California remanded Conrad Murray without bail. Conrad Murray was handcuffed by Deputy Jones and later taken to prison awaiting sentencing. Sentencing hearing is set for November 29, 2011 8:30AM PST. 

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Link to appeal : http://appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/dockets.cfm?dist=2&doc_id=1999218&doc_no=B237677

Murray notice of motion for an appeal : http://www.scribd.com/doc/80158211/Notice-of-Motion-and-Motion-for-Release-Pending-Appeal?secret_password=1no6ie13r6g5nvfay39a

Nicole Alvarez declaration: http://ww2.lasuperiorcourt.org/hp/1jr1fvzz0q0nij45ysmhci45/1491131481.pdf

"The court has read and considered appellant's motion for release on his own recognizance pending appeal or alternatively for release on reasonable bail filed December 18, 2012, respondent's opposition thereto filed December 28, 2012 and appellant's reply filed January 8, 2013. Good cause appearing therefor, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that appellant's motion is denied."

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Murray Trial Day 23, November 3, 2011

Morning Session


Court starts with Judge Pastor reading the jury instructions. 

Judge tells the jurors the evidence that contain medical items will not be in the jury room but it will be brought to them by a bailiff if they ask. 

Important points from jury instructions 
- Pastor tells the jurors they must follow his instructions about the law even though they might not agree with it. 
- Pastor says People need to prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt. He explains that it doesn’t need to eliminate all possible doubt. 
- Pastor says what the attorneys say and ask aren’t evidence. 
- Pastor says things can be proved by direct or circumstantial evidence. He says they are equal.
- Pastor says if they can come to 2 reasonable conclusions – one showing innocence and the other one showing guilt- they must find the defendant not guilty.