Many of us do not know exactly what happened to Conrad Murray’s physician license in California and the process and fight Murray has had to go through with the Medical Board. Is he still Dr. Murray?
People v. Conrad Murray
On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood in Los Angeles.
On February 8, 2010, a complaint was filed named The People of the State of California v. Conrad Robert Murray. One offense was alleged— felony Penal Code 192(B) (involuntary manslaughter).
At the arraignment on February 8, 2010, Deputy Attorney General Trina L. Saunders was present for the Department of Justice on behalf of the Medical Board of California. On notice of motion and recommendation, the Los Angeles court made the following medical practice restrictions:
The Defendant may not use any anesthetic agent, specifically propofol, nor prescribe it, and may not administer any other heavy sedative medication that should generally be administered by an anesthesiologist. The Defendant may not sedate people personally. This order is to cover the State of California, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii and anywhere else the Defendant may be currently licensed in the United States.
At a preliminary hearing on January 11, 2011, after consideration of the evidence presented by the Medical Board, an Order was issued suspending Murray’s license. Murray was ordered to immediately cease and desist from practicing medicine in the state of California and to notify all other states where he is currently licensed to practice medicine within the next 24 hours of the court order.
March 11, 2011 – Letter of Public Reprimand Issued
On March 11, 2011, Murray was issued a Letter of Public Reprimand from the Medical Board. A public reprimand is issued for minor violations of law in lieu of the filing of formal charges (i.e., an accusation). A public reprimand issued for a violation of law is considered a lesser form of discipline. In Murray’s case, the Medical Board issued a public reprimand for out-of-state discipline he received in Nevada for failure to notify the Nevada Board he was in arrears with his child support obligations.
December 29, 2011 – Notice of Automatic Suspension of License
Under Business & Professions Code section 2236.1, a physician’s license must be automatically suspended during any time that physician is incarcerated after conviction of a felony, regardless of whether the conviction has been appealed. Accordingly, when Murray was found guilty of one count of involuntary manslaughter on November 7, 2011, by operation of law the Medical Board automatically suspended Murray’s physician license.
February 22, 2012 – Accusation
On February 22, 2013, the Medical Board brought an Accusation against Murray listing two causes for discipline: (1) Conviction of a crime, and (2) Failure to maintain adequate records. The Accusation sought revocation of Murray’s physician license.
June 27, 2012 – Amended Accusation
On June 27, 2012, an Amended Accusation was filed by the Board. The Amended Accusation lists the following five (5) causes for discipline: (1) conviction of a crime; (2) gross negligence – inappropriate administration of dangerous drugs; (3) repeated negligent acts – inappropriate administration of dangerous drugs; (4) incompetence – inappropriate administration of dangerous drugs; (5) failure to maintain adequate records. In aggravation, the Medical Board lists the March 11, 2011 public reprimand as prior disciplinary action against Murray. The Accusation seeks revocation of Murray’s physician license.
Current Status of Murray’s License
It should be noted that Murray has not had a Medical Board administrative hearing as of yet nor been found guilty of any charges listed in the Amended Accusation. With that being said, at this time, Murray’s license is currently delinquent in California as the license renewal fee has not been paid. He currently has the public reprimand and the felony conviction on his record. He has been disciplined by another state—Nevada. And his license is suspended pursuant to the February 8, 2010 court order as well as the automatic suspension pursuant to Business and Professions Code section 2231.1.
Dr. Murray did just complete his prison sentence. And on October 28, his lawyer stated that Murray would try to get his medical licenses reinstated in California, Texas and Nevada so he can resume his medical career.