Michael Jackson case: Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyers face $1,500-a-day fines
A judge threatened Monday to hit Dr. Conrad Murray’s lawyers with $1,500-a-day fines for failing to share evidence with prosecutors before the physician's trial next month in the death of Michael Jackson.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor told lawyers for the pop icon’s personal physician that he would impose the fines or other sanctions Wednesday unless they met their legal obligation to turn over witness statements and expert reports to prosecutors.
“I am extremely distressed about the state of this case and whether in fact the defense is ready for trial,” Pastor said.
Murray is set to go on trial March 24, but prosecutors have repeatedly asked the judge to delay the case, saying the defense is not ready for trial because it has not shared materials concerning its witnesses.
Murray has refused to waive his right to a speedy trial, as most defendants do, to preserve his right to practice medicine. Pastor stripped him of his California medical license, but authorities in Texas and Nevada, where he practices, have agreed to await the conclusion of the trial to make their decisions, his lawyers said.
Murray, 57, is charged with involuntary manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty. Jackson died in 2009 from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol.
-- Harriet Ryan
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Let's see if he really is responsible for the Michael's death.....
Posted by: Keeping It Real | February 28, 2011 at 01:09 PM
Oh boo hoo. The judge should throw the book at Murray and his clowns. Delay the trial - it is already 20 months overdue. I sure wish Murray was charged with Murder 2 or 3 so he'd spend more time behind bars. 4 years doesn't seem nearly enough when you consider all Michael still had to offer this world, not to mention raising his kids. My stomach churns when I think of that lying sack of---- Murray. Negligent and unscrupulous.
Posted by: MNLady | February 28, 2011 at 01:27 PM
Could it be that no credible witnesses for the defense can be produced? Now, THAT would make sense!
Posted by: Rhea | February 28, 2011 at 01:37 PM
Murray has no defense; so there is nothing to present, period. $1500 per day for delaying the trial due to non-presentation of evidence? What does that matter to Murray whose behind the scenes benefactors have supported him for nearly two years now. The man needs to pay for his criminal negligence; we lost a great humanitarian and entertainer and three children lost the only parent they ever knew. When the truth comes out concerning Murray's benefactors, then Michael will rest in peace.
Posted by: juney | February 28, 2011 at 02:02 PM
This whole case is so crazy and the way MJ supposedly died is even crazier. Oh, there's another side to this story, it's all detailed in the documentary, "Alive! Is Michael Jackson Really Dead?" Just google search the title and find out how in the dark the massive public really is.
The media picks and choses what is important and what is not. No longer are the airwaves public, because this death hoax of Michael Jackson has clues up the kazoo.
"Alive! Is Michael Jackson Really Dead?"
Posted by: Pearl Jr | February 28, 2011 at 02:05 PM
What a joke, LA prosecutors constantly fail to disclose exculpatory information to the defense. The LA DA's office are the poster children for the movement to repeal prosecutorial and judicial immunity, lets put the DA in jail for threatening witnesses and compelling people to testify the way the prosecutors want them to. If the DA's office wants a professional report from the witness supeana it and pay for the professional services. Lets enact truth at trial legislation for criminal trials like we have for civil, if its "true" then it can be introduced at trial for the jury to know about, that would likely scare the DA's office.
Posted by: ergie | February 28, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Tanya, of TanyaYoungWilliams.com and FamiliesAffected.com, states: As one who has lived through the painful realities of a manlaughter trial, it is clear that this trial will not move ahead as scheduled and the people who will feel the greatest anxiety are the families affected by this case - Michael Jackson's family, as well as, Conrad Murray's family. When a trial date is set, the families begins to prepare themselves intellectually, spiritually and psychologically. Well, they think they are preparing themselves, but the painful truth is that there is know way to prepare for the rollercoaster they are going to ride from the first day of jury selection. My prayers continue to the families affected by this tragedy.
Posted by: Tanya Young Williams | February 28, 2011 at 03:49 PM
Of course the defense isn't ready. They never will be.
Posted by: Tom | February 28, 2011 at 04:43 PM
They obviously can't find a real doctor to testify who condones what Murray did to his patient. No doctor would ever do what Murray did to Michael Jackson,that is give Anesthesia at home.
Posted by: sc4551 | February 28, 2011 at 08:51 PM
ah, thats good. i wish he'd go jail for all his life. he was responsible for the death of the greatest matchless talented artist ever born. i am so sad mikey is gone. RIP my king.
Posted by: mediahater | March 01, 2011 at 07:29 AM
I do indeed see the point why, Murray would try to delay the court case, but if he is truly innocent , then he should not delay but get it done faster?? Don`t you agree??
Posted by: Alan Peters | March 01, 2011 at 11:04 AM
wow. You people are really out to get the doctor. Its human nature. You have to blame it on someone other than the drug addict. You have to blame someone for the death of someone who was obviously addicted to drugs. MJ was an addict. Including multiple prescription medication, which he abused. There are many factors that resulted in the death of MJ, and Conrad Murray did not play a part. MJ had a choice and took the wrong path.
Posted by: PETER PAN | March 07, 2011 at 06:42 AM