The Island Of Doctor Murray

Doctor Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician has been charged with involuntary manslaughter. In lay terms the crime is basically an unintended accident that causes death. Voluntary manslaughter basically means, that a dude meant to kill someone but had no prior intent. This is often known as a "crime of passion". Dr. Murray falls into the involuntary category because the D.A. believes that Murray allegedly had no prior intent. The D.A.'s office probably arrived at their conclusion and subsequent charge due to the fact that Murray stood do make $150,000 per month accompanying Michael on the tour. Why bite the (gloved) hand that feeds ya?

Murray plead not guilty. The D.A. asked for bail to be set at $300,000. The D.A. shot high because the L.A. D.A. is a bit of a shaky D.A. what with the celebrity acquittals of O.J Simpson and Robert Blake. Not to mention the almost acquittal of music producer Phil Spector. Bail is usually set at $25,000 in California for a case like this. Alas, the judge finally settled on $75,000 which Murray paid and now he's out. If found guilty the maximum Dr.Conrad Murray would get is four years in a state prison. You Jackson fans may think that wouldn't be enough but we are talking prison, not jail. There is a big difference: prison is a harder place with harder guys. Many of which are Jackson fans with their own standard of right and wrong. Even if he were to be separated from general pop he could still be 'got' to. (If there is any truth to countless Hollywood prison movies that is).

Now that Murray is out he's free to practice medicine and is licensed to do so in Texas, Nevada and California; although the Cal-board of Doc-deciders is looking to pull his license as I write and you read. The Judge added a sweet little gem before the gavel dropped and that was that Murray is not allowed to prescribe anesthetics, especially Propofol. Propofol was the cocktail, or 'milk' as Michael called it, that the Doc cooked up to curb Michael's insomnia. How'd that work out for ya Doc?

HOW IT'LL ALL BREAK DOWN

Cue voice over of Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer: The following takes place between now and Dr. Murray's trial in April:

"...ah yeah Doc I need something fast for this back pain. And now that you're about to be sent up for just shy of a nickel, I take it your rates have come down a little?"

"Ah, er, yes. Mind you I can't prescribe Popofol, my old stand by, but I can prescribe everything in this pile which I've never prescribed and know precious little about. Are ya up for it? Come on, live a little. Give a Doc break."

To listen to the media, which I don't, it doesn't look good for old Doc Murray. But it should be an interesting trial because once again it has that slam dunk feel to it. But so did the O.J. and Blake trial.