Jackson doctor to appear in court

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - – Michael Jackson's doctor will appear in court for the first time later Monday to face involuntary manslaughter charges stemming from the pop star's death last year.

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office confirmed on Friday that criminal charges would be filed against Conrad Murray following a painstaking seven-month investigation by police and federal agents.

Law enforcement sources have told AFP Murray will be charged with involuntary manslaughter when he appears at Los Angeles Airport Courthouse at around 1:30 pm local time (2130 GMT).

Murray, who treated Jackson shortly before the pop icon died suddenly at his rented Los Angeles mansion last June, had initially been expected to surrender to authorities on Friday ahead of a court hearing.

However charges were delayed amid reports of a disagreement between prosecutors and police over the manner in which Murray was to be brought to court.

Prosecutors had been negotiating with defence lawyers for Murray to surrender voluntarily, before appearing in court without handcuffs or shackles.

Police were reportedly opposed to the plan, seeking to have Murray arrested, booked and handcuffed in plain view.

The TMZ.com website reported on Monday that Murray would not be handcuffed for Monday's hearing, where Jackson's personal physician is expected to plead not guilty.

Reports of Murray's looming manslaughter case followed a prolonged police investigation.

Under California law, involuntary manslaughter -- unintentionally causing death through negligence, carelessness or a misdemeanor -- is punishable by up to four years in prison.

Murray, 56, has acknowledged that he administered the powerful anesthetic propofol to Jackson only after trying many other medications to help him sleep following the singer's "repeated demands/requests" for the drug.

Propofol is a powerful anesthetic used to render patients unconscious before major surgery. Medical experts say it should only be used and administered by trained staff under hospital conditions.

Unsealed court documents that included a review of toxicology results found that Jackson died from "lethal levels of propofol."