Conrad Murray lawyers call for probation: 'He will be stigmatised'

Solicitors acting for Michael Jackson's former doctor Conrad Murray have said that their client should be granted probation instead of a custodial sentence.

Murray - who was found guilty of the singer's manslaughter on November 7 - will be sentenced next Tuesday (November 29).

In documents seen by the Los Angeles Times, Murray's lawyers argue that their client has already been severely punished due to the loss of his livelihood, the likely loss of his medical licence and the public contempt and abuse he has received.



Attorney Nareg Gourjian says in the documents: "Dr. Murray's life will never be the same. He will forever be stigmatized as the doctor responsible for the death of Michael Jackson."

The papers also refer to Murray's work with the disadvantaged - including a charity clinic that he founded, and are supported by character reference letters from 34 people, including Murray's patients, friends and his mother Milta Rush.

Californian prosecutors have argued for Murray to receive the maximum four-year state prison sentence for manslaughter in their own documents.

They also believe that the doctor should make restitution of over $100 million (£64.3 million) to Jackson's three children, covering loss of earnings and the costs of their father's funeral and memorial service.

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