Michael Jackson's Doctor Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter

After much uncertainty, confusion and speculation, Michael Jackson's doctor was charged with involuntary manslaughter earlier Monday (Feb. 8) over the singer's death.

Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston-based cardiologist, pleaded not guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom late Monday. 

TMZ reports prosecutors claim Murray "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson."

If convicted, Murray faces up to four years in prison.

TMZ also reports prosecutors say Murray acted "without the caution and circumspection required" when he administered powerful sedative cocktails including the anaesthetic propofol in an effort to help Jackson, who suffered from chronic insomnia, sleep. Murray was originally hired to act as a personal physician by Jackson as he prepared for a string of concerts in London, England last year.

Jackson's death was officially ruled a homicide in August and the Los Angeles County coroner determined the King Of Pop died from "acute propofol intoxication." The Associated Press report court records showed Murray injected Jackson with 50 milligrams of propofol every night.

The charges seemed to hang in the air for some time because Murray's attorneys were reportedly attempting to negotiate the doctor's surrender while the prosecution was trying to build a case against Murray.

Michael Jackson died in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009 at the age of 50.

According to a search affidavit warrant, Murray told police he administered propofol just before 11 a.m. and then found the singer unresponsive around noon. He said he had previously given Jackson injections of lorazepam and midzoloam, along with Valium earlier in the day.