Michael Jackson's Former Doctor, Conrad Murray, Released From Jail

Cardiologist was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering propofol to the King of Pop in June 2009

By Zach Johnson Oct 28, 2013 10:38 AMTags
Conrad Murray, Mug ShotLos Angeles Country Sheriff's Dept.

Conrad Murray was released from Los Angeles' Men's Central Jail on Monday, Oct. 28. Two years earlier, the 60-year-old former cardiologist was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering a lethal dose of the anesthetic drug propofol to Michael Jackson.

The King of Pop's former personal physician left the premises in a police cruiser shortly after midnight. He exited through the back, avoiding reporters and fans who were gathered at the main entrance.

Following a six-week trial, Murray was sentenced to spend four years in jail in November 2011. He was released two years early because he was given an additional day of credit for each day he served. Murray was kept away from the general inmate population during his stay. In the last year, he was permitted to use a telephone in his cell.

Murray's license to practice medicine has been suspended in California, Nevada and Texas. His attorney told reporters that Murray hopes to have his licenses reinstated now that he's been released.

Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009. The singer was rehearsing for his This Is It concert series at London's O2 Arena. The coroner's office determined that Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication.

Murray, 60, told police that he gave Jackson nightly doses of propofol to help him sleep, but he lacked the proper monitoring equipment that was required to administer the anesthesia. Prosecutors successfully argued that Murray was grossly negligent for giving Jackson the drug.

Earlier this month, AEG Live was cleared of negligently hiring Murray in a civil lawsuit brought on by Jackson's children and mother. The jury determined that while Murray's actions were unethical, he was not unfit or incompetent to serve as Jackson's general practioner.

AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips and executive Paul Gongaware were dismissed as defendants in the case in early September, leaving the company itself as the sole defendant.