Michael Jackson’s physician Dr. Conrad Murray will not have his medical license revoked.
The medic – who has been accused of administering lethal amounts of Propofol and other drugs to the late King of Pop shortly before his passing on June 25 last year – will legally be allowed to continue working as a doctor, despite being charged with involuntary manslaughter over the star’s shock death aged 50.
In a court hearing in Los Angeles yesterday (14.06.10), Judge Michael Pastor admitted he did not have the power to overturn the decision previously made by another judge.
He said: "I don't have ability to revisit the actions of one of my colleagues. I do not have jurisdiction to revisit this matter. It doesn't have anything to do with how I feel or what I think. It has to do with the law and this court's ability to follow the law."
Yesterday’s hearing was the fourth time attempts have been made by the office of California’s attorney general to suspend Murray’s medical license – which allows him to continue practicing as a doctor.
Members of Michael’s family – including his parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, brother Tito and sister La Toya – apparently gasped in disbelief when the doctor’s defence lawyer said taking his license from him would stop him helping people.
They also argued he needed to continue working to pay for his defence case, and told the judge he had no plans to practise in California.
The 57-year-old medic is due in court for a preliminary hearing on August 23.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he faces up to four years in prison.
