Jackson's doctor allowed to keep practicing medicine
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Dr. Conrad Murray, personal physician for Michael Jackson, speaks in a video posted on YouTube by his attorneys August 18, 2009. Murray states in his first public statement since Jackson died June 25, "I have told the truth and the truth will prevail." [Xinhua/Reuters] |
A Los Angeles judge ruled on Monday that Conrad Murray, pop star Michael Jackson's doctor, can continue practicing medicine in California.
The ruling rejected a request from the California Medical Board (CMB) to bar Murray from practicing in the state until his criminal case is resolved.
Murray, 57, is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death last year.
In issuing the ruling, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor said another judge, Keith Schwartzat had restricted the physician's use of the drug propofol and other strong anesthetics as part of his bail conditions.
Pastor said he did not believe he had the authority to consider the request by the CMB after Schwartz issued the order.
"I simply don't have the ability to revisit the actions of one of my colleagues," Pastor told a packed courtroom which included Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine.
"I cannot alter any of the conditions imposed by Judge Schwartz, " Pastor said after hearing arguments from both sides.
The judge noted there had not been "changed circumstances" since Schwartz's Feb. 9 ruling, but he said he could consider the matter at a later time.
Deputy Attorney General Trina L. Saunders had argued in court papers that Murray, whose primary practice is in Houston, promised not to see patients in California, but there was nothing preventing him from doing so.
Murray's attorneys contended that it would be "financially and personally devastating" if he was ordered to stop practicing medicine in California while the case is under way.
"Dr. Murray's financial difficulties as a result of the investigation into this case have already been well publicized," his attorneys, Edward Chernoff and Joseph Hawkins Low IV, wrote in their March 31 response to the request. "He is, without fear of overstatement, hanging on by a thread."
Murray, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, sat silently during most of the hearing.
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