Michael Jackson Doctors Could Face Murder
Although no charges have been filed yet, the doctors overseeing Michael Jackson could face prosecution--possibly even for murder--if it's determined that they knowingly and improperly administered to him a dangerous combination of drugs.
Dr. Alex Farshchian, a Miami Beach doctor who was treating Michael Jackson at the Neverland Ranch, is currently the focus of an LAPD inquiry. It's suspected that Farshchian was providing Demerol and Buprinex to the singer, both pain killers to which Jackson apparently was addicted.
A person can be charged with Second Degree Murder in California if he intentionally commits an act dangerous to human life, and deliberately acts with a "conscious disregard" for human life. Under Penal Code 187 (California murder law), there need not be any specific intent to kill the victim. Examples include a repeat drunk driver who causes an accident killing a third party, or a drug dealer whose buyer dies from an overdose.
If the Jackson doctors knew that the combination of drugs supplied to the singer was potentially fatal, and outside the bounds of acceptable medical practice, Los Angeles prosecutors could charge them with murder. A conviction carries a life sentence, with the possibility of parole.
