娱乐英语新闻:Conrad Murray pleads not guilty over Michael Jackson's death

LOS ANGELES, Feb.8 (Xinhua) -- Michael Jackson's personal doctor pleaded not guilty on Monday to involuntary manslaughter in connection with the sudden death of the pop star from an overdose of a powerful prescription sedative last year.

Dr. Conrad Murray, 56, pleaded not guilty to the felony charge at a brief arraignment hearing at the Airport Branch Courthouse. The charge carries a potential four-year prison term.

Murray, dressed in a light gray suit, remained silent throughout the hearing, other than to answer "yes" in a soft voice several times when the judge asked if he understood the terms of his bail and the rights he waived.

Conrad Murray, the late Michael Jackson's personal physician, sits in court during his arraignment at the Los Angeles Superior Court Airport Branch Courthouse February 8, 2010, on one count of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death

At the conclusion of the hearing, Murray was taken into custody, but he posted the bond after being booked and was released.

His bail was set at 75,000 dollars -- above the 25,000 dollars requested by defense attorneys but far less than the 300,000 dollars requested by the District Attorney's Office.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz ordered Murray to surrender his passport and told the doctor he may not administer any heavy sedatives to patients -- particularly propofol, the powerful sedative that killed Jackson. He will still be allowed to write prescriptions for other medications.

Some family members were disappointed that the physician was charged only with involuntary manslaughter, said Brian Oxman, Joe Jackson's attorney.

Jackson's mother, Katherine, told a local television channel: "Nobody was there but him (Murray). So he's, he's guilty. He's just trying to save his own behind."

Judge Schwartz scheduled another court hearing for April 5 when a preliminary hearing date will be set. Murray's next hearing will be held at the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles.

Murray was expected to return to Las Vegas, his attorney, Ed Chernoff, told reporters after the hearing.

"He is going to keep practicing," Chernoff said. "He'll be back in Vegas this week. He'll open his medical practice. He continues to operate his medical practice in Houston and he's looking forward to getting back to his patients."

Earlier Monday, the Los Angeles county district attorney's office charged Murray with involuntary manslaughter in connection with administering a combination of surgical anesthetic and sedatives blamed for the music legend's death last summer.

The California Attorney General has issued a notice that it is petitioning the state medical board to revoke Murray's medical license.

Murray entered his plea inside a packed courtroom. Among those in the audience were some of the singer's family, including his parents Joe and Katherine, brothers Randy, Jackie, Jermaine and Tito, and sister LaToya.

Jackson, 50, was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center about two hours after he was found not breathing at his rented Holmby Hills estate on June 25, 2009. The coroner's office determined that the singer's death was the result of "acute propofol intoxication."

A group of Michael Jackson fans, some carrying signs and a large banner reading "The King of Pop: Michael Jackson Gone Too Soon," gathered across the street from the Airport Courthouse, which was virtually surrounded by media crews from around the world. One Jackson fan waved a sign reading: "Conrad Murray is a murderer. Arrest him in handcuffs."

But they were dwarfed ed by a strong presence of international media camping out around the court house.

Murray was the focal point of a seven-month investigation since Jackson's death. At that time, he was serving as Jackson's personal physician while the singer prepared in Los Angeles for a series of 50 concerts at London's O2 arena.