Doctor Conrad Murray, physician to US pop star Michael Jackson who died after suffering from cardiac arrest in June last year, has appeared in court charged with involuntary manslaughter.
His criminal trial in April will reveal for the first time the evidence the prosecution believes will show that his "gross negligence" was the direct cause of the pop star's death.
Murray pleaded not guilty Monday to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and a judge released him on $75,000 bail.
Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz ordered Murray to turn in his passport and said he could travel within the U.S., but not to any foreign country. The prosecutor had suggested he might flee to his native Grenada or to Trinidad where he has a child.
Murray was ordered to return April 5 to have another date set for his preliminary hearing. That proceeding, a virtual minitrial, will disclose the evidence prosecutors maintain will demonstrate Murray's "gross negligence."
Murray is accused of giving Jackson a fatal dose of an anesthetic to help him sleep. Jackson died June 25. If convicted, the doctor could face up to four years in prison.
Schwartz told Murray he was restricting his practice of medicine, barring him from using any anesthetic agent, specifically the drug propofol that a coroner's report found was the cause of Jackson's death with other drugs as contributing factors.
"I don't want you sedating people," the judge said.
Immediately after the hearing, LaToya Jackson issued a statement saying she believed her brother had been murdered and that others besides Murray were involved in his death.
"I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served," LaToya said. She was in court along with siblings including Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy.
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