Michael Jackson doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Monday.
By Gil Kaufman
Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Al Seib/Pool/Getty Images
The lawyers for Conrad Murray are planning to lodge an appeal on behalf of Michael Jackson's former doctor.
Murray, who was immediately sent to jail on Monday following his conviction on a single felony charge, is being housed in a part of the Los Angeles County jail set aside for high-profile prisoners. According to CNN, Murray's defense team has promised to appeal the conviction, but not before they prepare for his upcoming sentencing hearing on November 29. Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian said that Murray was "devastated" by the guilty verdict, but he is "confident" that he will win release on appeal.
"What matters most right now is trying to keep Dr. Murray from taking up a prison cell in this community," lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff said. "That's what we're focusing on right now and we'll deal with an appeal after that."
Though Murray is facing up to four years in state prison on the charge, because of recent changes in sentencing laws in California aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, he is unlikely to spend any time in a state facility. His lawyers plan to ask for probation and Gourjian said he expects his client to spend "maybe a little bit" of time in county jail.
Both lawyers said they were not surprised by the verdict but that their case was hampered by some of the pre-trial rulings that were made on evidence the defense had planned to show the jury. "I think that's essentially what denied Dr. Murray a fair trial in this case," Gourjian said. He suggested that the outcome may have been different if Murray's team had been able to introduce evidence on Jackson's past drug use and dire "financial condition."
The verdict is in on the Conrad Murray trial. Stick with MTV News for continued coverage, updates and analysis on MTVNews.com.
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