Doctor in Jackson case avoids jail in support case
LAS VEGAS — The physician being investigated in Michael Jackson's death has reached an agreement in a separate child support case that will keep him out of jail.
Prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for Dr. Conrad Murray after he failed to appear for previous hearings in the case. He is accused of owing more than $14,000 to a woman and her son.
With Murray in court Monday, his lawyer, Christopher Aaron, paid $700 cash and promised to pay $303 more as part of the deal approved by Clark County District Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle.
Aaron has said Murray has been unable to pay because he had to close his medical practice and move due to threats following Jackson's death June 25.
Murray told investigators he administered propofol as a sleep aid, along with multiple sedatives, in the hours before Jackson died.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The physician being investigated in Michael Jackson's death was due in a Las Vegas courtroom Monday to ask a judge to let him make minimum child support payments to a California woman and her son.
Dr. Conrad Murray's court appearance was scheduled after prosecutors sought a warrant for Murray's arrest for failure to appear for previous hearings.
Murray's lawyer, Christopher Aaron, filed written documents arguing that Murray has been unable to pay because he had to close his medical practice and move to an undisclosed location due to threats following Jackson's death June 25.
"He's radioactive," Aaron told The Associated Press. "He's unemployed and unemployable. But he wants to be able to pay the minimum $100 a month until this blows over."
Prosecutor Gerard Costantian said Murray needs to provide financial information justifying his claim that he's unable to pay more than $14,000 owed in support payments dating back to October 2008.
The deputy Clark County district attorney said Murray last made a payment of $1,500 on June 30.
In Oct. 27 court filings, Costantian asks the court to find Murray in contempt and send him to jail unless Murray can demonstrate an inability to pay.
The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Jackson's death a homicide, caused primarily by propofol and another sedative.
Murray told investigators he administered propofol as a sleep aid, along with multiple sedatives, in the hours before the 50-year-old pop singer died in a rented Los Angeles mansion.
Murray has not been charged with a crime but is the focus of the Los Angeles police investigation, according to documents made public with search warrants served as his home and offices.
Murray, a cardiologist licensed in Nevada, Texas and California, had been hired to a lucrative $150,000-per-month contract to be the pop star's personal physician during a world tour.
At the time, the financially troubled physician owed at least $780,000 for settlements against his business, outstanding mortgage payments on his large Las Vegas house, delinquent student loans ,credit cards and child support.
Another judge in Las Vegas is due Wednesday to consider unsealing search warrant documents stemming from a police raid Aug. 11 at a Las Vegas pharmacy from which authorities say Murray legally purchased propofol.
Clark County District Court Judge Valerie Adair last month allowed the records to remain shielded from public view after hearing behind closed doors from Los Angeles police investigators.
Source: The Associated Press
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