Opinion: Michael chose the wrong doctor

Commentary from HLN legal analyst Meg Strickler

"Should Michael Jackson be blamed for his death?" Many people are asking that question as Dr. Conrad Murray stands trial in Los Angeles. But an equally important question is: Does the public understand what this case is all about? Dr. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of just four years. Keep in mind, the jails and prisons are so overcrowded, that, even if Murray were convicted, he’s not likely to serve much time. Perhaps the prosecution should have shot for second-degree murder. I think they were gun-shy after the Casey Anthony fiasco. What we should also focus on is prescription drug abuse and all of the doctors who prescribe drugs like candy. Why is it even remotely okay to have a doctor on personal salary for $150,000 a month? A cardiologist with money problems. Good choice, Mr. Jackson. Yes, Dr. Murray should be convicted. He was prescribing and dispensing medicine to Mr. Jackson at shocking levels, and as several anesthesiologists have noted on In Session and HLN, neglecting standard medical protocol as well. We should put all of the doctors who are prescribing such hideous levels of medicine on trial. Please put them in prison. It has been written that Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's dermatologist, gave him Demerol repeatedly during the last three months of his life. I delivered a baby on Demerol. There is no worse pain. I only needed one dose. Please put the enablers on trial. Who wrote all of those prescriptions to get Michael Jackson to that level of addiction? I am not being a "clever defense attorney" trying to defend Dr. Conrad Murray. There is no defense. As a doctor friend of mine said, "Simply put, Murray was giving him benzodaizepines and sedative-hypnotics that any M.D. in his right mind would not have given, especially IV. A good M.D. would have had the singer evaluated for sleep problems, poly-substance abuse, and, if the singer refused, would have resigned from the case." But Dr. Murray only began his employment with Michael Jackson two months before this death. Where was everyone else?