Conrad Murray’s Witness Penalized

Yesterday, a hearing was held to address a violation by a witness in Conrad Murray’s murder case. Dr. Paul White, in court, disrupted the proceedings while dealing with the charge against Murray, who was accused of Michael’s involuntary manslaughter. Although the judge had warned Murray before the trial proceedings were officially underway not to mention his private conversation with the defendant, White had violated that instruction several times. Judge Michael Pastor, after hearing White’s explanation—saying he had committed the violation out of inexperience and with the intention of telling the whole truth—decided to give him a reduction and lowered the fine from $1,000 to $250. Prosecutor David Walgren said White had intentionally tried to disrupt the court’s order, but the judge said his claim was exaggerated. Pastor also decided not to address the allegation that White had insulted the prosecutor in the media. White denied the allegation. One of the heated moments yesterday was the dispute between Judge Pastor and Michael Flanagan, who was defending Dr. White. Flanagan criticized the judge: “You didn’t give me time to explain to him that he shouldn’t go into this area.” The judge responded: “It’s not me who committed the violation, Mr. Flanagan!” Outside the courtroom, White told the reporters that he was disappointed with the court’s decision to fine him: “I didn’t do anything wrong—they shouldn’t have fined me.” Source: eMJey.com / LA Times / AP