Murray found guilty
 

The verdict is in, he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter

Watching on CNN.com right now

I honestly don't think that Conrad Murray MEANT to kill Michael, but the fact that he was in charge of Michael's health makes him liable to any negligence.

R.I.P. Michael. :(

Yep! And that is what involuntary manslaughter is about.

*****
Rant/
This is another lesson on addiction. I am opposed to illicit drug use but I am much more bothered by prescription/medical drug use (those bought legally and illegally). I am extremely bothered that people are being prescribed drugs for every ailment under the sun, many of which do not really need drugs to "fix." Some people, especially people with money, are getting their prescriptions from different doctors and filled in different drug stores. A lot of people are using random drugs that they find in medicine cabinets. Some of these drugs do not have labels and people assume that Whatever-This-Drug-Is is better than however they would feel without taking the random drug.

I lecture my friends and loved ones about this all of the time and I will never stop lecturing people about this. Most of our headaches, inabilities to sleep, and some other "sicknesses" do not all need drugs. But, realizing that messes with the medicalization of our lives and the forever booming prescription drug industry.


/Rant

To add a little to what you said, rehab isn't what it needs to be either. One of my friend's mother had a severe pain medication addiction for a back problem that was recently corrected. They have yet to find a rehab to help her because all of the affordable ones "can't help until she endangers herself". How is being addicted to pills NOT a danger to yourself? Medication is a big problem as you have said, and doctors are prescribing it easier and easier these days.

It is a darn shame and that is why people need to do their best to stop putting their lives in the hands of others. Remain conscious as much as possible, both in the literal and figurative sense. I do not want every "pill popper" to randomly stop taking their prescription drugs--although that is what people often do when they can't afford the drugs--but I just want people to think critically about what they are putting in their bodies. Leave the pills for when you absolutely need to take medicine. Don't be so afraid of your body that you torture it when there is even the slightest feeling.

/rant

That was LaToya Jackson who screeched during the Murray verdict. I feel you, LaToya, I feel you.

Doctors started prescribing pain meds more when it became mandated nationally to use a pain scale at all doctors' visits and address any pain reported. Physicians in many cases are afraid not to prescribe pain meds (which is dumb) but you must address the pain scale or lose your accreditation. Thank you national mandates.

Does anyone else think 4 years is a very short sentance or am i about to get beat up?

*beats up KKGCaroline*

No, I don't think it's too short.

It is not a short sentence for involuntary manslaughter especially with no prior criminal record.

Here is an illustration:

http://www.shouselaw.com/involuntary...aughter.html#1

On NPR this morning :D, someone was saying that he probably won't get a 4 year sentence, and whatever sentence he will get will probably be reduced because of the terrible overcrowding in California prisons. I guess we won't find out until the actual sentencing date, but most "experts" are giving an 18-month to 2-year max.

He'll lose his medical license so his sentence will go on longer in that regard, too.

I don't know how i feel about this sentence. I defenitly agree he needed to get his license yanked. Not sure about the felony charge though. It's taking all the responsibility out of Michael Jackson's hands.

I agree with you. In fact, I'll take it a step further and say MJ would have probably OD'd on something even if Murray wasn't in the picture. I recall hearing a story on the radio (probably on NPR) a few years back post Anna Nicole and right when Britney Spears lost her shit and the big question was why didn't her manager/assistants/handlers stop her or keep her in line and the general consensus was that many celebs purposely hire enablers and yes-men and the ones that do speak up just end up getting fired. I'm sure Jackson wasn't paying Murray $150,000 a month to be told no or to just have a sleepy time tea before bed. I don't absolve Murray of any wrongdoing because he did do wrong, but I don't necessarily blame him for MJ's death.

I disagree (to a certain extent). While 4 years is harsh, I don't think the sentence itself takes away MJ's responsibility in the matter. He was addicted to this stuff and that was through his own choices. But if this a medical professional had stood his ground or at least monitored him properly after submitting to his request, he would not have died in that way at that time. That's why I hold him responsible. Administering the drug was only one of several harmful things he did that night.

Also, I think he was given the maximum sentence because of the way sentences are usually reduced. People may be operating under a skewed timeline--"If we give him one year, he'll be out next week." Not saying it's right, I just think that's what happened.

While I agree, this is only our best guess. Thanks to Murray, we will never know.