Can he ‘beat it’? MJ doctor faces preliminary hearing

LOS ANGELES (AP) - If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Murray could face four years in prison and the loss of his medical license...

TheGrio Staff

Jan 3, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The doctor who was with Michael Jackson the day the pop star died is headed to court for a preliminary hearing on an involuntary manslaughter charge.

A Los Angeles judge plans to start hearing testimony Tuesday to help him decide if there is enough evidence for Dr. Conrad Murray to face trial.

WATCH MSNBC COVERAGE OF JACKSON HEARING:
[MSNBCMSN video=”http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32545640″ w=”592″ h=”346″ launch_id=”40888902^140^198680″ id=”msnbc4dd39f”]

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Houston cardiologist is accused of gross negligence when he administered the powerful anesthetic Propofol to help Jackson get to sleep. Jackson died June 25, 2009, of Propofol intoxication complicated by other sedatives.

If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Murray could face four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

Murray has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyer says nothing the doctor did should have harmed the superstar.