UPDATE, 12:27 p.m.:
Michael Jackson's estate has issued a statement on Judge Michael Pastor's decision to sentence Dr. Conrad Murray to the maximum four years for causing Jackson's death. The estate called the sentence "appropriate" and "called" for, in light of Murray's lack of apparent remorse for Jackson's death.
Read the full statement below:
"Michael Jackson’s death was a huge loss to his children, his family, and his fans worldwide. A jury determined Michael’s untimely passing was caused by Conrad Murray. Dr. Murray in pre-trial statements and in a post-trial documentary expressed no remorse or responsibility for Mr. Jackson’s death. The Estate of Michael Jackson believes that the sentence imposed on Conrad Murray by Judge Pastor was appropriate and called for. The egregious conduct of Dr. Murray when 'treating' Michael Jackson was bad enough but when coupled with his outrageous lies in trying to cover up his wrongdoing after Michael was dying and/or had died only served to magnify his criminal actions. Michael Jackson was the one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived and he will be missed by millions.”
Previously...
Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician at the time of his 2009 death, was sentenced to the maximum four years for involuntary manslaughter by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor on Tuesday.
Murray was found guilty of causing the singer's death earlier this month.
Pastor ordered that Murray will serve the time in Los Angeles County Jail, due to a recent sentencing realignment dictating that involuntary manslaughter cases not be served in state prison.
Also read: Conrad Murray Guilty in Michael Jackson's Death
In addition, a new state law will automatically reduce the four-year sentence to two years.
Pastor roundly rejected the defense team's request for probation on grounds that Jackson's death amounted to one incident in an otherwise crime-free life.
"Dr. Murray created a set of circumstances and became involved in a cycle of horrible medicine," Pastor admonished, adding, "one can't help but to be offended by the circumstances of this case."
Pastor took particular exception to Murray's participation in an MSNBC documentary that aired following his guilty verdict, during which Murray said he felt entrapped by Jackson. Calling the documentary a "faux reality production," Pastor said that Murray's lack of remorse dictated that probation is not an option.
"Yipes! Talk about blaming the victim," Pastor marveled. "Not only isn't there any remorse, there's umbrage and outrage on the part of Dr. Murray against the decedent."
Also read: Conrad Murray Says Michael Jackson Was a Bedwetter in MSNBC Documentary (Video)
The judge added, "Why give probation to someone who is offended by the whole idea that that person is even before the court?"
Pastor also expressed his dismay at a recording, played in court during the trial, of an apparently drugged Jackson that Murray made on his iPhone. Pastor went so far as to say that Murray made the recording as an "insurance policy" in case he and Jackson had a conflict at some point.
