LOS ANGELES — Dr. Conrad Murray’s sentence could range from probation to four years in prison for his involuntary-manslaughter conviction in singer Michael Jackson’s death.
Some of the factors related to sentencing:
• Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor would have complete discretion to decide the sentence. He would receive a probation-department report on Murray recommending a sentence. Prosecution and defense attorneys also would file recommendations. But the decision would be his alone.
• The judge could consider that Murray is a defendant with no prior criminal record, a circumstance that might mitigate in favor of probation.
• Because of a recent California prison-realignment law, Murray probably would not go to state prison. If given a prison sentence, he would most likely serve it in the county jail because of prison overcrowding. There has been speculation that he would be allowed to serve a term of house arrest.
• The penal code calls for a convicted defendant to be sentenced in 20 days, but he could waive that time while his attorneys prepare a motion for new trial and an appeal. He could remain free on bail during that period.
• Murray would lose his medical license.
