Jackson doctor sentenced to maximum four years
30 November, 2011
LOS ANGELES: A judge sentenced Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray to the maximum four years in jail on Tuesday, three weeks after he was convicted in the star's 2009 death.
"He has absolutely no sense of remorse," said judge Michael Pastor, after giving a scathing summary of the case against the 58-year-old doctor, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Jackson's family insisted they were not out "to seek revenge", as prosecutors sought a maximum four year jail term for Murray over the singer's death.
In a family statement read out in court, they voiced their continued "disbelief" at Jackson's death on June 25, 2009 – and his children spoke about losing "a father, our best friend, our playmate and our dad". "There is no way to adequately describe the loss of our beloved father, son, brother and friend. We still look (at) each other in disbelief – is it really possible that he has gone?"
"As Michael's parents we could never have imagined that we would live to witness his passing. It is simply against the natural order of things," said the statement read out by lawyer Brian Panish.
"As his brothers and sisters we will never be able to hold, laugh or perform again with our brother Michael." Prosecutor David Walgren then asked for a four-year jail sentence for Murray – and restitution of an estimated $100 million Jackson could have made from the series of comeback concerts he was preparing for when he died.
End.
|
