Michael Jackson’s Doctor: Manslaughter charge explained

New reports have surfaced recently, that have revealed that Michael Jackson’s personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray, who was the main suspect in the involvement of the late King of Pop’s homicide in June last year, is to be charged with involuntary manslaughter.

According to a recent report at guardian.co.uk, Murray and his lawyer Edward Chernoff, have flown from Houston, Texas to Los Angeles and according to his lawyer, Dr. Murray is all prepared to turn himself in. Chernoff said that if they ask Murray to surrender, he will.

Reports say that if Murray is charged, a judge will then hear evidence from witnesses in a public hearing, to determine whether or not Murray should go on trial. To bring a manslaughter charge on Murray, prosecutors must prove there was a reckless action.

Involuntary manslaughter means the unlawful killing of another human being without malice aforethought. The reason involuntary manslaughter differs from voluntary manslaughter, is that there is an absence of intention with involuntary manslaughter.

It was back in August last year that the Los Angeles county coroner finally deemed Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. The coroner found that Michael was poisoned by an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, which is typically used in clinical settings but not at home.