Prosecutors want a judge to sentence the 58-year-old Murray to the maximum four-year prison term. Defense attorneys counter that Murray already faces a lifetime of shame and diminished opportunities and should receive probation.
How long Murray might remain behind bars depends on the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, which would base the decision on good behavior and other factors, reports the AP.
Even without overcrowding and a new state law that will send Murray to county jail rather than prison, a four-year sentence could be cut in half by good behavior.
The prosecution is also seeking restitution for Jackson’s three children and filed a statement from the singer’s estate stating the cost of the singer’s funeral was more than $1.8 million. The letter also notes that Jackson would have earned $100 million if he had performed a planned series of comeback concerts in London.
The doctor’s fate lies with Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, who will determine the sentence and had harsh words for Murray on the day he was convicted.
“Dr. Murray’s reckless conduct in this case poses a demonstrable risk to the safety of the public,” Pastor said before the Houston-based cardiologist was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Pastor also could address Murray’s decision to participate in a documentary that was filmed throughout the trial and aired days after Murray’s conviction.
Murray states in the film that aired on MSNBC, under the title “Michael Jackson and the Doctor: A Fatal Friendship,” that he doesn’t feel guilty about the singer’s death because he doesn’t think he did anything wrong.
