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Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson death case

By theGrio

5:51 PM on 02/08/2010

READ MORE: Conrad Murray, Manslaughter, Michael Jackson

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Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's doctor, is escorted by Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies as he arrives at the Airport Courthouse to face charges of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death in Los Angeles on Monday, Feb. 8, 2010. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond)

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's doctor has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star.

Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25, entered his plea Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court just hours after he was charged.

He could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Murray appeared in court in a gray suit as Jackson's father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy sat behind prosecutors.

WATCH MSNBC COVERAGE OF DR. CONRAD MURRAY'S COURT APPEARANCE HERE:

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Jackson hired Murray to be his personal physician as he prepared for a strenuous series of comeback performances.

Officials say the singer died in Los Angeles after Murray administered the powerful general anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac to sleep.