California judge lets Dr. Murray keep license

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's family sat solemnly across the courtroom from the doctor charged in the death of the pop legend, listening as a judge said Monday he could not suspend Dr. Conrad Murray's medical license in California and that it could take months for the case to go to trial.

"I want to give this case priority," Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said. "It is a very serious matter for Dr. Murray, for the Jackson family and the community at large."

Pastor said the schedules of everyone involved in the case and the need for preparation time required that a preliminary hearing be moved back to at least Aug. 23, with a requirement to start within 60 days after that. A trial date can't be set until that process concludes.

Several members of Jackson's family, including Michael's father Joe, mother Katherine, sister La-Toya and brothers Jermaine and Randy, attended the hearing.

Murray sat expressionless beside his attorneys. Asked if he waived his right to a speedy preliminary hearing, he quietly replied, "Yes, sir."

Murray, a cardiologist who lived and worked in Las Vegas, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's June 25 death in Los Angeles. He had been hired as Jackson's personal doctor for the pop star's London concert series when Jackson died under his care last year.

In the months following Jackson's death, investigators descended on Murray's Flamingo Road medical office and Red Rock Country Club home in their search for evidence. They also searched a Las Vegas pharmacy.

Murray maintains his Nevada medical license, though the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners on Thursday banned him from prescribing or administering strong sedatives, including propofol, the drug administered before Jackson's death. The board made the move because it was a condition of Murray's bail in California.

At Monday's hearing, a group of Jackson fans sat in the back of the courtroom wearing T-shirts with his image and the message, "We are his voice now."

Outside the courthouse, Jackson supporters raised signs and shouted "Justice for Michael."

Pastor was emphatic about his refusal to change an order previously issued by Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz declining to suspend Murray's medical license when he was arraigned in February. But he said he might revisit the issue if there was new information.

California authorities have sought to suspend Murray's license since he was charged in February. He is accused of giving the pop star a lethal dose of the propofol. Jackson died after Murray administered propofol and other drugs to help him sleep.

Murray maintains nothing he did should have killed Jackson. He remains free on $75,000 bail.

Murray operates clinics in Nevada and Texas. His attorney Ed Chernoff said in documents filed Friday that Texas also has reached an agreement to allow Murray to practice as long as he abides by a judge's order not to administer anesthetics such as propofol.

Review-Journal writer Brian Haynes contributed to this story.