Verdict is in on MJ's doctor

[Gypsy]

luv, I'm going to assume there was no reckless indifference with your brother's actions. He did not GIVE his son the gun. He walked away from it for a few minutes. It's very different than someone HANDING a gun to a depressed person or leaving it in their home completely accessible. And yes, regardless of whether it is your brother or not, if he had exhibited reckless indifference (no gun safe in the house, always leaving his gun around easily accessible, not just as a single incident accident, and/or not caring about leaving the gun out even after the kid tried to swipe it and kill himself before) then, in my opinion, he would have deserved to be prosecuted. As it stands it was an accident. Yes, it was NEGLIGENT, but not CRIMINALLY negligent.

Criminal Negligence Manslaughter usually includes a reckless indifference to human life requirement (although in some jurisdictions reckless indifference is a definition for malice, and if malice is a requirement for murder, it would be murder not manslaughter AND/OR in some jurisdictions if there is a requirement for underlying crime that made the death highly probable [although this can also be felony murder-- it depends on the underlying crime-- if it is something like like speeding or driving recklessly, then it is manslaughter]).

 

[mrs jam]

Personally, I think he deserves a medal of honor for finally putting that disgusting child molester in the ground. Too bad Joe Jackson wasn't his patient as well.

 

[luv2sparkle]

luv, I'm going to assume there was no reckless indifference with your brother's actions. He did not GIVE his son the gun. He walked away from it for a few minutes. It's very different than someone HANDING a gun to a depressed person or leaving it in their home completely accessible. And yes, regardless of whether it is your brother or not, if he had exhibited reckless indifference (no gun safe in the house, always leaving his gun around easily accessible, not just as a single incident accident, and/or not caring about leaving the gun out even after the kid tried to swipe it and kill himself before) then, in my opinion, he would have deserved to be prosecuted. As it stands it was an accident. Yes, it was NEGLIGENT, but not CRIMINALLY negligent.

Criminal Negligence Manslaughter usually includes a reckless indifference to human life requirement (although in some jurisdictions reckless indifference is a definition for malice, and if malice is a requirement for murder, it would be murder not manslaughter AND/OR in some jurisdictions if there is a requirement for underlying crime that made the death highly probable [although this can also be felony murder-- it depends on the underlying crime-- if it is something like like speeding or driving recklessly, then it is manslaughter]).

I guess that is part of what bothers me-the reckless indifference part-it seems a little ambiguous. So many things can be labeled reckless indifference. Hmmm..... interesting. Thank you for your thoughtful response.

My siblings are 20+ years older than me, so my nephew was in his early 40's. I hadn't seen him in some years, really since I was in my teens.
My brother called me with the news, but that is the sum total about what I know about it. Your response gives me much food for thought.

 

[kenny]

Dr. Murray was just sentenced to the maximum sentence, four years imprisonment, however because of overcrowding he may not be behind bars that long.

The judge really blasted Murray.
One reason for the max sentence was what Murray said in a documentary made after the verdict.
Murray showed no remorse, and was actually offended that Jackson died.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hKFZg55-uo

 

[ruby59]

All I know is what I have read, and MJ shopped around for someone who was willing to give him that drug. Every single doctor turned him down until he got to Dr. Murray. So I find it odd that MJ and his family would have expected Dr. Murray to be of high morals. You get what you pay for. Not to speak ill of the dead, but MJ's face was evident of a person who had enough money to not have to take "no" for an answer.

 

[Maisie]

So he may not even serve any time in prison? What does home confinement mean?

 

[Arkteia]

Luv2sparkle - sorry for what happened in your family.i