If convicted, Conrad Murray could be sentenced to four years in jail for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson. Dr. Murray was Jackson’s doctor, and in 2009 he was accused of the singers’ very public overdose. The doctor’s lawyers are very worried that media coverage of the trial will influence the juror’s decision more so than the speakers at the trial. The defense attorneys have tried many approaches to the case such as discussing Jackson’s possible drug problem and financial disparity, and even requesting that the jury be isolated from media reports during the trial. The judge refused access to Jackson's financial records and ordered that Dr Murray's legal team could not be permitted to discuss Jackson's alleged drug use. The legal team realizes that this trial will receive massive media attention, and this is yet another setback to their case.
Media coverage, especially on a global extent, can be good or bad. In some instances it can bring to light a social problem and give it the attention it deserves. But in a case such as this, media coverage is a power that worries Dr. Murray and his defense team. It is said that problems are socially constructed, and this is a great illustration of that. How the media decides to portray Dr. Murray will most likely affect the jury’s decision. Sociologists are able to view problems with a “social lense”. This lense allows them to examine things objectively, which cannot always be said for figures in the media. Murray is hoping for the best but since the media is usually more subjective than objective, he has much reason to worry.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/fears-jury-in-michael-jackson-manslaughter-trial-will-be-poisoned-by-media-frenzy/story-e6frg6so-1226132900180
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