MICHAEL JACKSON’S DEATH RULED A HOMICIDE

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After two months of speculation about the circumstances surrounding Michael Jackson’s death, the Los Angeles county coroner has ruled it a homicide. An anonymous law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the ruling was based on the discovery of a combination of anesthetic propofol and sedatives in the pop star’s system.

The finding could result in criminal charges for Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, who had been caring for Jackson in a Los Angeles mansion at the time of his death.

An affadavit used to outline probable cause for search warrants for the offices of doctors who may have treated Jackson detailed a timeline of drugs administered to him before his death. It listed at least five doctors and a nurse practitioner, all of whom had recently treated him.

Some are speculating that Dr. Murray could be charged with involuntary manslaughter. This crime carries a maximum sentence of four years under California law. The statute defines “manslaughter” as “the involuntary killing of a human being without malice.” To be “involuntary,” the act must occur either during a lawful act or during an unlawful act that does not amount to a felony. Typically it would involve negligence of some sort, “without due caution or circumspection.”

However, it is unclear at this point whether Jackson’s death can be attributed to a single night or the single doctor’s actions, or whether the potential negligence of multiple physicians over a period of time could be to blame.