Michael Jackson's doctor pleaded not guilty Monday to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star at a brief hearing.

Dr. Conrad Murray appeared in court in a gray suit as Jackson's father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy watched from courtroom seats behind prosecutors.

Neither Murray nor the Jacksons showed much emotion as Murray entered his plea through his attorney Ed Chernoff.

"We need justice," Joe Jackson said outside court before leaving with family members in a fleet of Cadillac Escalades.

Earlier, several people shouted "murderer" as Murray walked past a crowd of hundreds of reporters and Jackson fans on his way to a courthouse adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport.

Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz set bail at $75,000, three times more than the amount most people face after being charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors had been seeking $300,000 bail for Murray, who was taken into custody by deputies but not handcuffed in public. He was expected to be released later in the day.

The judge told Murray he could travel throughout the United States after posting bail but must surrender his passport and not leave the country.

Chernoff said outside court that Murray plans to return to practicing medicine in Nevada and Texas while he awaits trial. The judge ordered him to return to court April 5 for a preliminary hearing.

"He'll be back in Vegas this week, he'll open his medical practice," Chernoff said.

The judge warned Murray he is not to use general anesthesia on anyone while he is free on bail. "I don't want you sedating people," he said.

Deputy state Attorney General Trina Bell also told the judge the state Medical Board is planning to seek the suspension of Murray's medical license. The action would only affect his ability to practice medicine in California.

It appeared authorities were taking extra steps to ensure the arraignment did not become a media circus.

Lines were formed to gain admission to the courtroom, and the Jackson family was escorted in separately and seated before anyone else arrived.

Despite the precautions, the upcoming proceedings promise to be the focus of widespread attention.

Murray is accused of the single felony count in a five-page complaint that said he "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson" by acting "without due caution and circumspection."

The complaint contains no details on Jackson's death, but authorities have said the singer died after Murray administered the anesthetic and other drugs. Murray has said he did nothing that should have caused Jackson to die.

If convicted, the doctor could face up to four years in prison.


Source: AP/ MJackson.com

Michael Jackson's doctor was charged Monday with involuntary manslaughter, capping an exhaustive investigation into the pop star's death.

Murray is expected turn himself in soon at a courthouse near Los Angeles International Airport.

Members of Jackson's family has arrived at the courthouse. Asked for his reaction to the charge, brother Jermaine Jackson said, "Not enough." Jackson's father said he is "looking for justice."

If convicted, Murray would face a maximum four-year prison sentence, according to prosecutors.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren will lead the prosecution.


What is involuntary manslaughter?


Dr. Conrad Murray, a cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25 at his rented Los Angeles mansion, is accused of acting "unlawfully and without malice" in bringing about Jackson's death, according to a complaint filed by prosecutors.

The complaint said Murray acted "without the caution and circumspection required" when he administered a powerful sedative to Jackson in an effort to help him sleep.

The charge was expected, and Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, said his client planned to surrender to authorities later Monday.

Los Angeles investigators were methodical in building a case against Murray, wary of repeating missteps that have plagued some other high-profile celebrity cases, most notably O.J. Simpson and actor Robert Blake, both of whom were acquitted of murder.

After reviewing toxicology findings, the coroner ruled Jackson's death at age 50 a homicide caused by acute intoxication of the powerful anesthetic propofol, with other sedatives a contributing factor.

Propofol is only supposed to be administered by an anesthesia professional in a medical setting, because it depresses breathing and heart rate while lowering blood pressure.

Murray appears to have obtained the drug legally and its use is not in itself a crime. To show the doctor was negligent in his care, detectives spoke to more than 10 medical experts to see if his behavior fell outside the bounds of reasonable medical practice.

According to court documents, Murray told police he administered propofol just before 11 a.m. then stepped out of the room to go to the bathroom.

There is some dispute about what happened next. According to court filings, Murray told police that upon his return from the bathroom, he saw Jackson was not breathing and began trying to revive him.

But an ambulance was not called until 12:21 p.m. and Murray spent much of the intervening time making non-emergency cell phone calls, police say. The nature of the calls, which lasted 47 minutes, is not known.

Murray's lawyer has said investigators got confused about what Murray had told them, and that the doctor found his patient unresponsive around noon.

The investigation included several agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the district attorney's office and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Many witnesses have been interviewed by police, including those who were present during Jackson's last days, those who worked with him in preparation for his series of comeback concerts, "This Is It," and members of his personal entourage, including his security guard and personal assistant.

Stay tuned!


Source: AP/ CNN/ MJackson.com

Quincy Jones, the original producer, and Lionel Richie, who co-wrote the song with Michael Jackson, were back to oversee We Are the World: 25 For Haiti, a contemporary update of the 1985 anthem. The 3-D video, shot by Paul Haggis, and song, which includes altered lyrics and an added rap segment pertaining to Haiti, will premiere Feb. 12 during NBC's coverage of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Proceeds from the release will go to Haitian relief efforts.

At Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood , formerly A&M Studios where the song was recorded 25 years ago, roughly 80 singers, rappers and actors jammed into choir formation to repeatedly sing the familiar refrain. They snapped photos, exchanged phone numbers and collected autographs during breaks as the session stretched late into the night. Despite a clash of genres and generations that found Kanye West, Miley Cyrus and the Jonas Brothers rubbing shoulders with Brian Wilson, Jeff Bridges and Harry Connick Jr., the mood was cozy.

* Picture on the left: year 2010. Picture on the right: year 1985

Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the "We Are The World" event. The Hollywood Reporter also said that Michael Jackson will be invoked in the song in some way.

To view pictures, videos and full lists of We Are The World singers click the link.


Source: USA Today/ ABC News/ MTV/ MJackson.com