After nine hours of deliberation, a California jury found Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the death of pop icon Michael Jackson. The verdict was the culmination of a two-year trial. Dr. Murray’s defense attorneys are reportedly not shocked by the verdict, but plan to appeal the conviction. The defense counsel are now focused on keeping Dr. Murray from being placed in the general prison population for his own safety, due to the high-profile nature of the case. The sentencing phase of trial begins November 29th, and Murray could face up to four years in prison.
Legally speaking, it’s important to note that Murray is NOT being convicted of murdering Michael Jackson. Under California law, “involuntary manslaughter” is an accidental killing that happens under particular circumstances, while “murder” generally involves an intentional killing.
Texas law makes a similar distinction between intentional and accidental killings. Under the Texas Penal Code, if a person kills someone by acting recklessly (meaning that the killer consciously ignored the risks of his/her behavior) or with criminal negligence (meaning that the killer should have been aware of the risks of his behavior), then the killer will probably be guilty of “manslaughter” or “criminally negligent homicide” instead of “murder”.
Have you been accused of a crime and need help understanding the charges and your options? The Wright Firm is here to help you! Give us a call at (972) 353-4600 or check us out on the web at www.thewrightlawyers.com.
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