The doctor charged in the death of pop star Michael Jackson now faces a suspension of his medical license over his alleged involvement in the singer’s final hours.
California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a petition in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of the state’s medical board requesting that a judge restrict Murray’s license while he faces charges of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson’s death.
” defendant is alleged to have administered a lethal dose of propofol and other powerful drugs to patient M.J., which resulted in the patient’s death,” Brown said in the court filing. “The exercise of such poor professional judgment and placing the life of a patient in jeopardy requires that the board take measures to protect the public from future harm.”
Murray, Jackson’s cardiologist, was present at the time the singer suffered a fatal heart attack and has been the subject of the police probe into Jackson’s death since it was ruled a homicide.
Murray has maintained his innocence and claims that he was not the first doctor to administer propofol to Jackson.
Murray has also had to deal with leaked statements made by Alberto Alvarez, one of Jackson’s security guards. In a statement, Alvarez claimed Murray stopped administering CPR on Jackson in order to hide drug vials before emergency responders arrived at the scene.
In response, Murray’s attorney, Ed Chernoff, asked that people “reserve judgment” on Murray.
“This statement was given more than two months after Michael Jackson’s death and is inconsistent with a statement gave the police the day after Mr. Jackson was taken to the hospital,” said Chernoff.