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Conrad Murray Sentenced to Four Years in Prison

Physician was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson

November 29, 2011 1:15 PM ET
conrad murray
Dr. Conrad Murray looks towards the jury prior to their guilty verdict in his involuntary manslaughter trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Conrad Murray, the physician convicted for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, has been sentenced to four years in prison, the maximum term for the charge. Murray will also be stripped of his medical license.

"Murray unquestionably violated the trust and confidence of his patient, Mr. Jackson, on a repeated and nightly basis," Judge Michael Pastor said in his ruling. "I find that Dr. Murray abandoned his patient, who was trusting him, his patient was vulnerable under those circumstances having been administered potentially dangerous drugs by his medical provider.

"Dr. Murray repeatedly lied, engaged in deceitful misconduct and endeavored to cover up his transgressions," Pastor continued. "He violated the trust of the medical community, his colleagues and he has absolutely no sense of remorse."

There had been some speculation that Murray would only spend a brief period of time in jail due to a recent law in California designed to alleviate overcrowding in prisons. If Murray is determined to be a low-risk inmate, he could be released early.

Related
Timeline: The Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray
Photos: Michael Jackson Remembered
Photos: Michael Jackson's Funeral

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