Michael Jackson Doctor, Conrad Murray, May Lose MD License in Wake of Manslaughter Charges
Legal experts say it will be tough for Conrad Murray to get a fair trial in L.A.
Feb. 9, 2010— -- The California attorney general has moved to revoke the medical license of Michael Jackson's personal physician, one day after he appeared in court to face manslaughter charges in the King of Pop's death.
Dr. Conrad Murray is expected to head back to Texas until his next court appearance in April, but legal experts say he's got a tough and emotionally charged trial ahead of him.
Nevertheless, the case could have been worse, noted defense attorney and former Jackson lawyer Mark Geragos told "Good Morning America." Murray could have easily faced more severe charges that could have sent him to prison for life, Geragos said.
"I think that Dr. Murray caught a break when they did not file second-degree, what's called implied malice murder," he said.
The doctor still faces a difficult legal situation.
"The fight here is going to be on the territory as to whether or not he was doing something that was so outside the realm of what was approved by giving the anesthetic in a home setting," Geragos told "GMA."
Murray pleaded not guilty Monday, capping an eight-month investigation and kicking off what is expected to be a closely watched celebrity trial. Los Angeles prosecutors have said the Houston-based cardiologist allegedly administered a lethal cocktail of painkillers and anesthetics to Jackson hours before he died on June 25.
It's won't be a simple case for either the defense or the prosecution, experts warned.
"It's not going to be an easy case for the prosecution and it's not going to be an easy case for Dr. Murray," ABC News legal consultant Dana Cole said.
Even just finding impartial jurors will likely be difficult.
"He's infamous because of the death of a celebrity," Geragos said of Murray. "It's going to be tough to get a fair trial in Los Angeles."
Jackson's family and his fans seemed pleased Murray had finally been charged.
"Nobody was there but him, so he's guilty," Katherine Jackson, MJ's mother, said. "He's just trying to save his own behind."
Jackson fans who came to the courthouse to show support for the Gloved One agreed.
"He should spend the rest of his life in prison, absolutely," one fan said.
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