Michael Jackson’s Mother To Appeal Wrongful Death Verdict Following Conrad Murray’s Release

Katherine Jackson, mother of the late international music super star Michael Jackson, has said she plans to appeal the verdict in her wrongful death lawsuit against tour promoter AEG Live.

The suit alleged that AEG Live was responsible for Michael Jackson’s death after hiring Dr. Conrad Murray, who administered a fatal does of the anesthetic Propofol to the pop star. Murray was sentenced to four years in prison as a result of Michael Jackson’s death. The verdict of the lawsuit, however, found that AEG Live, although they did indeed hire Murray, was not responsible for Michael’s death because Murray was not found to be unfit or incompetent to perform the duties for which he was hired.

TMZ reports that Katherine Jackson is appealing the verdict of her civil lawsuit, in which she had sought more than $40 billion dollars from the concert promoter on behalf of herself and Michael Jackson’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket.

The news of Katherine Jackson’s appeal comes in the wake of other news surrounding Michael Jackson’s death. Murray, originally sentenced in 2011 to four years in prison for Michael Jackson’s 2009 death, was recently released from custody in Los Angeles after serving less than half of his prison term. The reason for his early release? Over-crowding and good behavior, although that’s not all if you ask his lawyer.

“My client received the maximum term possible,” said lawyer Valerie Wass, who represented him at trial.

“This is a man that had no prior record. He had 20 years of exemplary service as a physician… They didn’t let him out a minute early,” she added.

The Jackson family said otherwise:

“It is clear Conrad Murray… killed Michael Jackson,” the statement read. “We hope he can never practice medicine again… and hurt another patient.”

The doctor’s medical future is actually up in the air. Billboard reports that Murray is suing the state of Texas to fight the revocation of his license to practice medicine. His suit contends that the Texas Medical Board wrongfully revoked his license and that due process is not satisfied until his appeals are exhausted.

What do you think of the latest wrinkle surrounding Michael Jackson’s death?