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Conrad Robert Murray (born February 19, 1953) is a Grenadian-Trinidadian-American[1] former physician and convicted felon. He was the personal physician of Michael Jackson on the day of his death in 2009. In 2011, Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death for having inadvertently overdosed him with a powerful surgical anesthetic, propofol, which was being improperly used as a bedtime sleep agent.[2] Murray served just under two years out of his original four-year prison sentence.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Conrad Robert Murray was born on February 19, 1953, and was raised by his maternal grandparents, who were farmers in Grenada. He later joined his mother, Milta, in Trinidad and Tobago when he was seven years old. He grew up poor in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. He did not meet his father, Rawle Andrew Sr., also a physician, until he was 25. Andrew, who died in 2001, was devoted to providing medical services to the poor. Murray finished high school and worked as a volunteer elementary school teacher in Trinidad. After teaching, he worked as a customs clerk and insurance underwriter to save up for college tuition.[2]

Education

[edit]

In 1973, Murray moved to Houston, Texas, where his father worked, to attend Texas Southern University, and graduated magna cum laude with a degree in pre-med and biological sciences. Murray continued his education at Meharry Medical College, in Nashville, Tennessee, the same school his father attended, and the first medical school in the Southern United States for African Americans.[citation needed] He began his internal medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Murray completed it at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in California. He then completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Arizona.[2]

Career

[edit]

Murray worked at the Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego as an associate director of its cardiology fellowship training program. In 1990, he opened a private practice in Las Vegas. In 2006, he founded the Acres Homes Heart and Vascular Institute in Houston. Murray met Michael Jackson in 2006, in Las Vegas, and treated his daughter Paris when she fell ill. Jackson hired Murray to be his exclusive personal physician prior to his tour in July 2009.[2] Jackson insisted that Murray be employed by his show promoter, AEG Live, for $150,000 monthly. However, AEG later claimed that there was never a contract with Murray.[3][4] Murray and AEG agree that Murray was never paid.[5] In 2018, Murray released a memoir, This Is It!, which detailed his experience as Michael Jackson's physician and tells of having treated Mother Teresa. Murray wrote,

However my most magnanimous and noble patient is also deceased. She was the world-renowned quintessential nun who is now a saint: Mother Theresa. I loved the way I dedicated my services to her, it was totally selfless because when I agreed to serve her, I literally had no idea then that she was widely known…

The A.V. Club called the book "literary poison with no antidote"[6] and The Daily Telegraph said that any revelations it contains are "mired in several thousand words of self-aggrandising, poorly punctuated and repetitive text."[7]

In May 2023, Murray opened his own institute entitled, "DCM Medical Institute" in El Socorro, a suburb of San Juan, Trinidad and Tobago.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

Murray is a naturalized American citizen.[1] In May 2009, Murray began working as Jackson's personal physician.[9] By that time, he had reportedly fathered seven children by six different women.[10] He was in arrears on the mortgage for the Las Vegas home occupied by his first wife and children and owed child support to the mothers of children outside of his marriage, which he could not pay due to the amount of money he owed to Michael Jackson's family. He was married to Blanche, his second wife, whom he met at medical school, and helped pay rent for another woman, Nicole Alvarez. Murray met Alvarez at a gentlemen's club in Las Vegas when she worked as a stripper, and Alvarez gave birth to their son Che Giovanni Murray in March 2009.[11] Another relationship, with a cocktail waitress from Houston, was also reported.[12]

Murray was at risk of losing his California medical license due to unpaid child support to one of his children and owed $13,000 to a California woman, Nenita Malibiran.[13] Murray was a defendant in numerous civil lawsuits (though none for medical malpractice). By 2008, he had accumulated over $600,000 in court judgments against him for medical equipment and unpaid rent for his practices in Texas and Nevada. He also owed $71,000 for student loans at Meharry Medical College.[14] Murray had filed for bankruptcy in 2002, in California.[15]

Death of Michael Jackson

[edit]
See also: People v. Murray

On June 25, 2009, months after hiring Murray, Jackson died due to a lethal dose of propofol administered by Murray. Court documents released in August 2009 revealed that the coroner's preliminary conclusion indicated that Jackson overdosed on propofol. However, the coroner's office declined to comment on reports claiming that the death was ruled a homicide.[16]

Several offices of doctors who were believed to have treated Jackson were searched. Based on the autopsy and toxicology findings, the cause of Jackson's death was determined to be acute propofol intoxication with a contributory benzodiazepine effect and the manner of death to be a homicide, eventually, so that the focus of the investigation shifted toward Murray. He admitted administering 25 mg of propofol intravenously, for insomnia, on the night of Jackson's death. He claimed that he tried treating him with other drugs and that he only administered the propofol after Jackson insisted, according to a police affidavit.[14]

Murray said he worried that Jackson had become dependent on the drug to get to sleep and was trying to wean him from it.[16][17] Though any FDA-approved drug can be used off-label in a responsible manner that is medically appropriate for their patient,[18] the indicated use for propofol is for anesthesia—not as a sleep aid—and is therefore properly given in a hospital or a clinical setting with close monitoring. Accordingly, propofol is supposed to be administered on the orders of an anesthesiologist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), critical care physician (intensivist), or an emergency medicine physician who received extensive training in the use and monitoring of anesthetics; Murray had no such specialty training.

In February 2011, Murray was formally charged with involuntary manslaughter.[19] On September 27, 2011, Murray went on trial in Los Angeles and was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on November 7, 2011. His bail was revoked and he was remanded to custody pending his November 29 sentencing date. He received the maximum penalty of four years in prison. His Texas medical license was revoked, and his California and Nevada licenses were suspended.[20] After serving two years, Murray was released on parole on October 28, 2013.[21]

Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray in 2010[22] but dropped it in 2012.[23] Also in 2010, Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and three children, filed a separate wrongful death suit against concert promoter AEG, claiming that the company was negligent in hiring Murray; the jury decided in favor of AEG in 2013.[24]

In 2016, Inside Edition reported that Murray was "still visiting patients", although Murray claimed that he does not charge patients anything for his services, that he is only "providing a consultation" without prescribing medication, and that therefore he "is not breaking the law".[25]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Conrad Murray

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from Grokipedia
Conrad Murray (born February 19, 1953) is a Grenadian-born American cardiologist who gained international notoriety as the personal physician to singer , whose 2009 death he was convicted of causing through involuntary manslaughter. Murray was born in , , to physician Rawle Andrews and Milta Murray, and raised in poverty by his grandparents in before moving to at age seven, where he became a citizen and worked various jobs including as a teacher, customs clerk, and insurance underwriter to fund his education. He immigrated to the in 1980, earning a Bachelor of Science degree magna cum laude in pre-medicine and biological sciences from in 1983, followed by his from in 1989. He completed medical training including cardiology fellowships at the and further specialization at institutions like the and in . After becoming licensed to practice medicine in in 1991, in 1999, and in 2005, Murray established a successful practice focused on underserved communities, opening Global Cardiovascular Associates in in 2000 and expanding with the Acres Home Heart and Vascular Institute in in 2006. Despite financial challenges, including a 2002 bankruptcy filing due to unpaid debts and taxes from providing care to low-income patients, he built a as a dedicated physician with multiple children from different relationships and two marriages, to Zufan Tesfai (1984–1988) and Blanche Bonnick. Murray first encountered in December 2006 while treating the singer's daughter in , leading to his hiring in May 2009 by concert promoter AEG Live as Jackson's full-time physician for $150,000 per month ahead of the singer's planned "This Is It" residency in . On June 25, 2009, Jackson died at age 50 from acute intoxication, a surgical Murray had administered off-label as a sleep aid in Jackson's home, alongside other sedatives like benzodiazepines; Murray delayed calling 911 for approximately 20 to 30 minutes after finding Jackson unresponsive, during which he made other phone calls and attempted CPR. Arrested in February 2010 and charged with involuntary , Murray's high-profile trial in revealed his failure to monitor Jackson properly and lack of proper medical equipment, culminating in his on November 7, 2011. He was sentenced to the maximum four years in prison on November 29, 2011, but served approximately two years due to overcrowding, and was released in October 2013; his was upheld on in January 2014, though he has continued efforts to overturn it. The case led to the revocation of his medical licenses in , , and . Following his release, Murray published an in 2016 and, as of 2023, opened the DCM Medical Institute in , resuming clinical practice there.

Early life

Birth and family background

Conrad Robert Murray was born on February 19, 1953, in St. Andrew Parish, , to parents Rawle Andrews, a physician, and Milta Murray. His father, originally from the region, abandoned the family when Murray was young, leaving his mother to raise him amid significant financial difficulties. Murray's early years were marked by his mother's efforts to provide for the family while seeking better opportunities, as she spent much of her time working in . Murray was primarily raised by his maternal grandparents, who were subsistence farmers, in during his first seven years, immersing him in the rural culture and the realities of . The family's challenging circumstances were exacerbated by economic hardships in , prompting a relocation around age seven to San Juan in , where Murray joined his mother and stepfather. This move reflected the broader struggles of working-class families in the region during that era, shaping Murray's early understanding of resilience and hardship.

Childhood in the Caribbean

Conrad Murray relocated to at the age of seven to join his mother, Milta, and stepfather, after spending his early years with his maternal grandparents in . He grew up in poverty in San Juan, near , where his family faced significant economic hardships typical of many working-class households in the region during that era. Attending local schools in Trinidad, Murray completed his high school education there, becoming a citizen of the country in the process. Throughout his childhood, Murray witnessed his mother's relentless hard work as she pursued better-paying opportunities to support the family, often traveling between islands for employment. This environment of financial struggle shaped his formative years, instilling a strong from an early age. His mother's remarriage to his stepfather further defined the family dynamics, as Murray integrated into a blended that emphasized resilience amid limited resources. In his teenage years, Murray engaged in part-time jobs to contribute to the household and save for future aspirations, including roles as an elementary volunteer, a , and an underwriter. These experiences immersed him in Trinidadian society, where he navigated community interactions and developed practical skills. He also participated in social activities common to youth in the area, though specific details on sports or extracurriculars remain limited in records. An early interest in emerged during this period, combined with observations of challenges in his impoverished community, laying the groundwork for his later pursuits, while the presence of half-siblings and extended added layers to the familial support structure.

Education

Undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Conrad Murray immigrated to the in 1980 at the age of 27, settling in , after a prior visit in 1978 where he reconnected with his father. He enrolled that same year at , a historically Black institution, to pursue studies. As an immigrant from a background of in , Murray faced significant financial challenges during his undergraduate years while balancing rigorous coursework. These hardships underscored his determination, as he completed his degree in pre-medicine and biological sciences in just three years, graduating magna cum laude in 1983. Murray's academic success at Texas Southern positioned him for advanced medical training, though no additional postgraduate degrees prior to medical school are documented in his early educational record.

Medical training and certifications

Conrad Murray obtained his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1989. After , Murray pursued postgraduate training in , beginning his and residency at the in , and completing it at in between 1990 and 1993. He then undertook a three-year cardiology fellowship at the from 1993 to 1996, specializing in cardiovascular diseases. Murray achieved in from the in 1995, which lapsed in 2008.

Pre-Jackson career

Early medical positions

Following the completion of his degree from in 1989, Conrad Murray undertook his residency, beginning at the in , and finishing at in around 1992. Subsequently, Murray advanced his specialization through fellowships in at the Medical Center and the , where he honed skills in advanced cardiac procedures during the mid-1990s. In the late 1990s, after his fellowship training, Murray took on the role of associate director of the interventional cardiology fellowship-training program at Sharp Memorial Hospital in , , overseeing resident education and contributing to hospital-based cardiac care initiatives. Murray's early professional efforts helped establish his reputation as a committed cardiologist, often involving consultations on complex cases and emergency interventions, with a focus on accessible care for low-income s in urban settings. By 2000, while continuing some affiliations, Murray briefly transitioned toward independent practice in , , building on his experience to serve a diverse base.

Private practices and relocations

In 2000, after becoming licensed in in 1999, Conrad Murray established his first independent practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, in , , where he focused on and for a diverse population, including both affluent clients and those from underserved communities. The practice grew steadily through word-of-mouth referrals and Murray's reputation for community involvement, similar to his father's work in , allowing him to build a loyal base without extensive . Seeking to expand his reach, Murray relocated part of his operations and opened a second clinic, the Acres Home Heart and Vascular Institute, in , , in 2006, after obtaining his Texas license in 2005; this facility was specifically located in a low-income, predominantly to provide accessible cardiac care to underserved residents. He managed both locations simultaneously, dividing his time between —where he maintained his primary practice—and , where he dedicated two days per month to patient consultations and treatments, often coordinating with local hospitals for referrals and procedures to support his growing caseload. By 2008, Murray's practices had developed a robust base across both cities, sustained by personal recommendations and his emphasis on compassionate care for high-risk cardiac , though financial pressures from managing multiple sites began to emerge. This period marked his transition from hospital-based roles to entrepreneurial , with relocations driven by opportunities to serve broader demographics and address gaps in cardiovascular services in urban areas.

Personal life

Relationships and children

Conrad Murray's first marriage was to Zufan Tesfai from 1984 to 1988, which ended in . Murray began a long-term relationship with Nicole Alvarez in 2005, which continued until 2010 and resulted in the birth of their son in February 2009. In total, Murray fathered seven children from multiple relationships, some established during his early years in the Caribbean and others in the United States as his career progressed. Despite frequent relocations driven by professional demands—from Houston to Las Vegas and Los Angeles—Murray made efforts to sustain connections with his children and their mothers across these locations. Prior to his involvement with , Conrad Murray faced mounting financial difficulties stemming from his medical practices in and . Between 2007 and 2009, he accumulated significant debts, including unpaid office rents and nearly $435,000 in judgments and liens against him during this period, encompassing business settlements, outstanding loans, and delinquent taxes. These financial pressures extended to property ownership, with Murray refinancing the mortgage on his Las Vegas home at least three times between 2005 and 2009, resulting in a debt of nearly $1.7 million on a property assessed at $1.08 million. He encountered multiple lawsuits from creditors, exceeding a dozen in number, primarily related to unpaid debts rather than malpractice claims. Additionally, foreclosure proceedings loomed on his residence by mid-2009, exacerbating his economic strain. Murray's legal troubles included minor incidents beyond creditor actions. In February 2002, the Clark County District Attorney's office filed a against him for unpaid owed to Nenita Malibiran, the mother of one of his children in . He also had a history of traffic violations in , though these were not significant criminal matters. Earlier, in 1992, Murray filed for in amid similar financial woes. To manage his debts amid obligations to his growing family of seven children from multiple relationships, Murray pursued efforts, such as the repeated refinancings and the 1992 filing. These steps provided temporary relief but did little to alleviate the ongoing strain, which reportedly contributed to tensions in his personal relationships.

Involvement with Michael Jackson

Hiring as personal physician

In 2009, at 's request, Conrad Murray was hired in May by concert promoter AEG Live to serve as his personal physician for the upcoming "This Is It" concert residency in , with a monthly salary of $150,000. Murray, who had established cardiology practices in and , agreed to the role amid his own financial difficulties, including mounting debts from his medical ventures. Murray's selection stemmed from a prior connection to Jackson dating back to 2006, when he treated Jackson's daughter for an illness in on the recommendation of one of Jackson's bodyguards, fostering a close personal friendship. Jackson, who had encountered other physicians in the entertainment industry through his circle, specifically requested Murray's involvement, leading promoter AEG Live to formalize the employment for the tour preparations. As part of the agreement, Murray committed to providing round-the-clock care, prioritizing Jackson's health needs during the demanding rehearsal schedule. To facilitate this arrangement, Murray relocated from to a mansion rented by Jackson in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of , where he resided to ensure immediate availability. This move allowed Murray to suspend much of his prior practice while focusing exclusively on Jackson's regimen ahead of the 50-show series. Murray's initial responsibilities included monitoring Jackson's overall health, conducting routine check-ups, and prescribing sleep aids to address the singer's chronic exacerbated by the tour's intensity. These duties were tailored to support Jackson's physical preparation for performances, emphasizing preventive care and recovery in the lead-up to the London residency.

Role during This Is It preparations

In May 2009, as Michael Jackson began intense rehearsals for his planned "This Is It" concert residency in London, Conrad Murray served as his personal physician, monitoring Jackson's health amid the physical and mental stresses of the preparations. Murray accompanied Jackson to rehearsal sessions at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, observing his fatigue and ensuring medical support during the demanding schedule that often extended late into the night. To address Jackson's chronic insomnia, which intensified under the pressure of the tour, Murray administered approved sedatives such as Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam), along with other benzodiazepines, at Jackson's insistence to help him rest after rehearsals. These nightly rituals sometimes lasted until sunrise, as Murray worked to help Jackson achieve sleep that eluded him naturally. Jackson's dependency on these sleep aids had grown over years, with biographer noting that he would have paid $1 million for a good night's sleep. Murray resided with Jackson at his rented mansion on North Carolwood Drive in , where he coordinated care with the singer's staff and family members to maintain privacy and support daily routines. From this base, he managed medical equipment discreetly and attended to Jackson upon his return from rehearsals, often waiting in the bedroom to administer treatments. Throughout this period, Murray noted Jackson's declining health, including significant and heightened reliance on sedatives, while attempting to wean him from dependency.

Death of Michael Jackson

Administration of propofol

, marketed under the brand name Diprivan, is a short-acting intravenous agent primarily used for induction and maintenance of general or in controlled medical environments such as hospitals or surgical centers. It is not approved by the U.S. for home use or as a aid due to its rapid onset and potential for severe side effects, requiring specialized monitoring equipment and trained personnel to manage risks. In May 2009, Conrad Murray began administering to at the singer's insistence, employing it off-label as a to combat chronic that had persisted despite prior attempts with other during preparations for Jackson's concert series. Murray, a board-certified cardiologist with experience in using for conscious during cardiac procedures but lacking formal in , rationalized the treatment based on his clinical background, viewing it as an effective means to ensure Jackson's rest without recognizing the full implications of its unregulated application outside a clinical setting. Murray's protocol involved administering in 50 mg intravenous boluses, typically each evening, often mixed with lidocaine to mitigate injection site pain and frequently combined with other depressants such as or to enhance effects. These patterns continued nightly for several weeks, with Murray ordering substantial quantities—enough to supply approximately 1,937 mg per day—reflecting the escalating dependency Jackson developed on the drug for . Medical literature extensively documents propofol's risks, particularly its dose-dependent propensity to cause respiratory depression, apnea, and hypoxia, which can lead to cardiopulmonary if not immediately addressed in a monitored environment; these hazards are amplified when combined with other sedatives like benzodiazepines, as the synergistic effects suppress breathing and airway reflexes. Despite these established warnings, Murray proceeded with administration in Jackson's rented home, forgoing standard safeguards such as , , or emergency airway support, thereby exposing the patient to preventable dangers inherent to the drug's profile.

Events of June 25, 2009

On June 25, 2009, awoke at his rented mansion in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of after a sleepless night, having received multiple sedative medications from his personal physician, Conrad Murray, starting around 1:30 a.m. with a 10 mg dose of Valium administered orally. Jackson, who was scheduled for This Is It tour rehearsals later that day but remained distressed and unable to rest due to anxiety over the upcoming performances, repeatedly begged Murray for to induce sleep, referring to the as his "." Between 2:00 a.m. and 10:40 a.m., Murray administered additional sedatives, including intravenous doses of 2 mg (Ativan) at 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., and 2 mg (Versed) at 3:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., but Jackson still could not sleep. At approximately 10:40 a.m., yielding to Jackson's pleas, Murray administered 25 mg of diluted with lidocaine via an intravenous drip in the bedroom, after which Jackson appeared to fall asleep within minutes. About 10 minutes later, around 10:50 a.m., Murray left the room briefly to confer with staff downstairs and use the bathroom; upon returning, he discovered Jackson unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse. Murray immediately began (CPR) using only his hands—declining mouth-to-mouth due to the lack of an airway device—and injected 0.2 mg of (Romazicon) to reverse potential effects, but Jackson showed no response. Murray then rushed downstairs to summon help from Jackson's chef and assistant via phone calls starting at 11:51 a.m., during which he continued manual CPR efforts on the floor; these calls, along with two others, lasted a total of 47 minutes. Alvarez arrived in the bedroom around noon, where Murray instructed him to remove vials, an IV bag, and other medical paraphernalia from the scene before placing Jackson on the bed and continuing compressions. At 12:21 p.m., Alvarez finally called 911 at Murray's direction, reporting a and providing Jackson's address while paramedics were en route. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics arrived at 12:26 p.m., found Jackson in full with fixed and dilated pupils, and assumed he was suffering from a given his emaciated appearance and the presence of an IV stand; they initiated , including , epinephrine injections, and attempts, but were unable to restore a heartbeat. Jackson was transported by ambulance to , arriving at 1:13 p.m., where physicians continued efforts for over an hour using additional medications and procedures. At 2:26 p.m., after confirming no brain activity or , Jackson was pronounced dead at the age of 50.

Trial and conviction

Charges and pretrial proceedings

Following Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, the (LAPD) launched an investigation into Conrad Murray's role as Jackson's personal physician. On July 22, 2009, LAPD detectives, along with agents and Houston police, executed search warrants at Murray's medical clinic in , , and a nearby storage unit, seizing medical records, prescription bottles including and benzodiazepines, computers, and other documents related to Jackson's treatment. The raids were part of a broader probe into potential and improper prescribing practices, as outlined in the search warrants. The investigation culminated in a on February 8, 2010, when the County District Attorney's Office charged Murray with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter, alleging that his administration of without proper medical safeguards caused Jackson's death. During his that same day in , Murray pleaded not guilty, and Judge Keith Schwartz set at $75,000, with conditions prohibiting him from administering sedatives to patients and requiring surrender of his passport. Murray posted and was released, allowing him to continue practicing under restrictions while the case proceeded. Pretrial proceedings intensified with a preliminary hearing beginning on January 4, 2011, where prosecutors presented evidence to establish for trial. Key testimony included statements from paramedics and security personnel who responded to Jackson's home, revealing delays in calling 911 and Murray's initial account of finding Jackson unresponsive. The prosecution's case relied heavily on the Los Angeles County coroner's August 2009 toxicology report, which determined Jackson's death a due to "acute propofol intoxication" combined with the lorazepam (Ativan), at levels deemed lethal when used outside a setting with monitoring equipment. Additional hearings addressed evidentiary issues, such as a July 2011 ruling by Judge Michael Pastor barring the use of previously unseen footage from Jackson's "This Is It" rehearsals, which the defense sought to introduce to demonstrate Jackson's health and stress levels, while prosecutors argued it was irrelevant and prejudicial. Murray's defense team, during the preliminary hearing and subsequent motions, maintained that Jackson had self-administered additional propofol and lorazepam without Murray's knowledge, creating the fatal combination, and emphasized Murray's immediate attempts using CPR and other measures upon discovering Jackson. Cross-examinations of prosecution es, including medical experts, highlighted gaps in , such as the absence of direct video from Jackson's bedroom and inconsistencies in witness recollections of Murray's actions. On January 11, 2011, Judge Pastor ruled there was sufficient to proceed to trial, binding Murray over on the involuntary charge.

Court case and verdict

The trial of Conrad Murray for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson commenced on September 27, 2011, in Los Angeles Superior Court, presided over by Judge Michael Pastor, and lasted until November 7, 2011. The prosecution presented a case centered on Murray's reckless administration of propofol outside a hospital setting, calling 33 witnesses over the course of the trial. Key testimony came from paramedics Richard Senneff and Martin Blount, who described arriving at Jackson's home to find Murray evasive about the patient's condition and withholding information on propofol use, while noting no signs of life despite 42 minutes of resuscitation efforts. Toxicologist Dan Anderson detailed the autopsy findings, revealing lethal levels of propofol and benzodiazepines in Jackson's system, consistent with acute intoxication. AEG Live staff, including director Kenny Ortega and executive Paul Gongaware, testified about Jackson's deteriorating health during rehearsals and the hiring of Murray as his personal physician for $150,000 per month. Critical evidence included the absence of standard monitoring equipment, such as continuous pulse oximeters or defibrillators, in Jackson's bedroom; anesthesiologist Robert William Johnson confirmed that the devices present were unsuitable for ongoing propofol administration. Prosecutors also highlighted Murray's lack of medical records, his use of a personal cell phone during the crisis, and a 21-minute delay in calling 911, supported by testimony from security personnel Alberto Alvarez and Michael Amir Williams. The defense, calling 16 witnesses, sought to portray Murray as a compassionate and dedicated physician who was simply aiding a desperate patient. Patients like Andrew Guest and Gerry Causey testified to Murray's attentive care in treating their heart conditions. The core argument rested on the claim that Jackson, driven by severe insomnia and addiction, had self-administered a fatal dose of propofol after Murray left the room; defense expert Dr. Paul White asserted there was no evidence of an IV drip and supported the self-injection theory based on the distribution of drugs in Jackson's body. After approximately nine hours of over two days, the of seven men and five women found Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter on November 7, 2011. Murray displayed no visible reaction as the verdict was read by court clerk Sammi Benson.

Post-conviction life

Imprisonment and release

On November 29, 2011, Superior Court Michael Pastor sentenced Conrad Murray to the maximum term of four years in County Jail for involuntary manslaughter in the . The denied defense requests for , citing Murray's lack of and the severity of his actions as disqualifying factors. Due to California state sentencing guidelines for nonviolent felonies and severe jail overcrowding, Murray's effective time served was reduced to approximately two years, including credits for good behavior. He began his incarceration immediately upon sentencing and was released on parole from at 12:01 a.m. on October 28, 2013, after serving nearly two years. In the aftermath of his conviction, the Medical Board of suspended Murray's Physician's and Surgeon's Certificate on December 29, 2011, and filed a petition to revoke it on February 22, 2012, based on the felony conviction and allegations of . The Texas Medical Board revoked his license in August 2013, marking the first state to permanently strip him of his credentials following the trial.

Later career developments

Following his release from prison in October 2013, Conrad Murray relocated to , where he had spent part of his early life and maintained citizenship. There, he resumed medical practice in 2014 by volunteering at a private nursing home in to treat children with heart conditions, under the auspices of the Trinidad Ministry of Health. Although he faced challenges with the Medical Board of , including a 2018 legal dispute over renewal fees due to lapsed registration, Murray successfully registered to practice as a physician in the country. In May 2023, Murray opened the DCM Medical Institute in El Socorro, a suburb of , focusing on , wellness services, and interventional procedures. The facility, named after his initials, aims to provide specialized care leveraging his background in cardiovascular , and its launch was attended by local dignitaries and supporters. Murray has engaged in media to share his perspective on past events, including a 2016 video interview series where he detailed his experiences as 's physician, emphasizing what he described as the "untold story" of their professional relationship. In September 2024, he was filmed by a British for a TV special documenting his return to work. That same year, he published the This Is It!: The Secret Lives of Dr. Conrad Murray and , in which he defended his medical decisions and portrayed himself as a in Jackson's death, drawing from personal notes and interactions. Efforts to reinstate his U.S. medical licenses were unsuccessful; the Texas Medical Board revoked his license in August 2013, and subsequent petitions in Texas and other states were denied due to his conviction and professional conduct concerns. However, in August 2024, Murray reopened a medical clinic in . As a result, Murray continues to operate his clinic in while maintaining professional activities in the United States.

References

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  3. https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-15595831
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  5. https://people.com/michael-jackson-doctor-conrad-murray-opens-medical-institute-7554294
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  10. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/282475/Dr-Conrad-Murray-who-led-a-complex-love-life
  11. https://trinidadexpress.com/news/local/alma-mater-wants-mjs-doctor-to-visit/article_70eadf8a-fc0b-5f57-bd9d-5ecbc7163395.html
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