Michael Jackson's doctor can keep medical license, judge rules
A doctor accused of administering a lethal dose of a strong anesthetic to pop icon Michael Jackson last year will keep his California medical license for now, a Los Angeles judge ruled Monday.
L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor rejected a request by the state's medical board to suspend Dr. Conrad Murray's license to practice medicine. In his ruling, Pastor noted that another judge at Murray's arraignment earlier this year restricted the physician's use of the drug propofol and other strong anesthetics as part of his bail conditions.
Pastor said the law did not allow him to change Murray's bail terms unless there was a change in circumstances. He said nothing had changed since the arraignment. Pastor left open the possibility of reconsidering Murray's bail -- including whether he could practice medicine -- after he hears testimony in the case at a later preliminary hearing.
He said his ruling did not prevent the medical board from seeking to suspend Murray's license at an administrative proceeding.
Murray, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, sat silently during most of the hearing in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom packed with reporters and fans of the singer. He spoke briefly only to waive his right to a speedy preliminary hearing.
Also in the audience were members of the Jackson family, including the pop star's mother and father.
-- Jack Leonard
He can keep his license, but who on earth would go to this doctor for advice or treatment? It won't matter if he keeps his license because no one in their right mind would be a patient of his.
Posted by: Pollo Loco | June 14, 2010 at 02:27 PM
Yet again the LA courts never cease to amaze me!!
Posted by: Krissy | June 14, 2010 at 02:39 PM
You're right, Krissy. It's like some sort of bizarro world.
Posted by: Dirk | June 14, 2010 at 03:12 PM
I'm guessing the comment makers don't realize that he's innocent until proven guilty? He won't lose his license UNLESS he's convicted. As for the question "who would see this doctor?" my guess is any idiot who wants drugs, doesn't care about the law or their own personal safety and has the money to spend - just like Michael Jackson...
Posted by: caitb | June 14, 2010 at 03:22 PM
I cannot believe that such gross negligence committed is not sufficient to suspend someone's license, seriously. At the Hospital I work at you loose your privileges for not signing documents on time. But Murray can kill someone in negligence and nothing happens to his medical license. What the...!
Why not just get rid of the whole licensing system, if it really does nothing to even try and protect folks from the grossly irresponsible, bad, disrespectful so called medical school graduates floating around pretending to be physicians!
And the restriction on propofol? What is with that? Like putting a killer out on bail and making part of his bail terms that he can't use a Colt, but Magnum, Smith and Wesson, etc. are OK??????!!!
Posted by: MD Guy | June 14, 2010 at 03:29 PM
Hi Pollo Loco;
I agree with you. Who would really want to be a patient of this man? This man should have gotten his license taken away from him. He knew that he was not to give MJ the anesthetic. That could have been anybody asking for the anesthetic. So that means that anybody can go to a doctor and ask for drugs?
Posted by: Cynthia | June 14, 2010 at 03:52 PM
I dont think the doctor should go to jail and you should DROP ALL CHARGES do to the fact the doctor was doing what he was paid for. How many more doctor did the same? Michael Jackson was a great singer but he was a drug user like so many others.
Posted by: Latifa | June 14, 2010 at 05:44 PM
Just like O.J. and Robert Blake, Californians don't have the slightest idea what JUSTICE is.
Posted by: JusticeWONK | June 14, 2010 at 06:09 PM
On the contrary, this doctor has a publicity now he couldn't dream ever before. From medical point of view he is not guilty.
Therefore, from now on, he will make a lot of money. For sure.
Posted by: Observer | June 14, 2010 at 06:48 PM
The judge rejected a request by the state medical board to suspend the license..??
The judge??
Well, he OBVIOUSLY has greater insight and better knowledge than an ENTIRE PANEL of medical PROFESSIONALS on the board.
Pathetic!
Posted by: wayne | June 14, 2010 at 08:55 PM
Shouldn't the AMA be suspending his license...
A medical license is like a license to kill...and you're untouchable...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | June 15, 2010 at 08:26 AM
would you give an alcoholic a bottle of vodka no!! so even if Michael was addicted to drugs i dont think a doctor who is supposed to help people or number one priority is the safety of a person should not be giving a drug addict drugs thats just irresponsible and reckless i love you mj rest in love
Posted by: kaye563 | June 25, 2010 at 10:48 AM