Prison Minister Defends Dr. Murray in Michael Jackson Death
Conrad Murray, the doctor who administered the deadly drug Propofol to Michael Jackson, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the King of Pop’s death. Jackson died at age 50 in his Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009.
Although justice-seeking fans cheered outside, Murray offered no reaction to the verdict. The doctor was handcuffed in court and taken to Los Angeles County Jail to await his sentencing on Nov. 29. Judge Michael Pastor could sentence Murray to up to four years in prison and take away his medical license.
Prison minister Marty Angelo calls Jackson’s death a tragedy, but he is slow to put all of the blame for the singer’s demise on the doctor who prescribed the medication. Murray made mistakes, but Angelo contends that Jackson wanted the drugs.
“No one is immune to the consequences of substance abuse. To the rich and famous they can be administered their deadly doses in the comfort of their own bedrooms or a down-and-out addict can sit in Needle Park in New York City on a filthy bench to abuse drugs,” Angelo says. “However, the consequences remain the same which are prison, hospitalization or death. It is unfortunate for Jackson that his consequence was death.”