Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s Doctor, Released From Jail Two Years Early

Murray served about two years in jail after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter

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Conrad Murray, the doctor who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death, was released from a Los Angeles jail on Monday after serving half of a four-year jail sentence.

“Conrad Murray, 60, was safely released from Los Angeles County Jail at 12:01, October 28, 2013, after serving two years for involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop star Michael Jackson,” an L.A. County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said in a statement. “There is no further information available.”

Also read: Michael Jackson Wrongful Death Trial: AEG Live Found Not Liable

The former cardiologist was eligible for early release under California sentencing guidelines, Murray’s attorney Valerie Wass told the press outside the jail at the time of his release, the Los Angeles Times reported.

“They didn’t release him one minute early,”  Wass said. “I’m just happy he’s finally out.”

Murray was convicted in 2011 for causing Jackson’s death in June of 2009, which was caused by an overdose of propofol — a powerful anesthetic that Murray regularly gave to Jackson as a sleep aid. During the trial, Murray’s lawyers argued that the 50-year-old King of Pop self-administered the dose of the drug that killed him.

Also read: Michael Jackson Tops List of Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities of 2013

Murray has since filed an appeal in hopes of overturning his conviction.

AEG Live, the company that was organizing a series of comeback concerts at London’s O2 Arena before Jackson’s death, was found not liable earlier this month in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Katherine Jackson.

The jury determined that although AEG had hired Murray, he was not incompetent to perform his duties.

“That doesn’t mean that we thought he was ethical,” a juror who identified himself as Greg told the press after the verdict was released. “Maybe if the word ‘ethical’ had been included in the question, there would have been a different outcome.”

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