It was a very sad time for people who like pop music when Michael Jackson died, although I think the news coverage on his death bordered on hysteria at times which doesn’t help anyone. I think the whole thing was made worse by the fact that he was just about to go on a comeback tour, so people had become very excited about getting to see him again after a period of being very quiet.
Yesterday a doctor was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson. I was following the trial for a while and a guilty verdict always seemed likely, but it still came as a bit of a surprise when it happened. Whether or not they got the right decision is difficult to say without all the evidence, but they must of been convinced that the doctor has a major part in Jackson’s death – even if it was completely accidental.
The problem is that it seemed right from the beginning that fans of Michael Jackson wanted someone to blame. I’m not saying that his doctor didn’t do something wrong, but it seems just as likely that Jackson did actually administer that drug himself. Whether or not the jury came to the right decision I don’t know – they obviously has more information than I do – but I hope that the scramble for someone to blame didn’t affect their decision.
If the doctor DID do what he is said to have done then I think he got off quite likely with 4 years, although obviously he’ll also be prevented from ever working as a doctor again which will also have a big effect on his life from now on.