Michael Jackson's
father has dropped a wrongful death lawsuit filed against the former
doctor who was convicted of causing the singer's death.
Court records show Joe Jackson's request for a
dismissal was granted Monday. The filings do not elaborate on a reason
for dropping pursuit of the case, but two attorneys handling the case
were recently ruled ineligible to practice law in California.
The Jackson family patriarch initially filed the
lawsuit against Conrad Murray in June 2010, on the anniversary of his
son's death. A federal judge refused to hear it and it had to be
re-filed in state court in Los Angeles.
"It's
good finally that this case is dismissed and gone," Murray's attorney
Charles Peckham said Wednesday. "It's pretty clear that Joe Jackson
intelligently and smartly dismissed this case so he, his wife and
children can focus on Michael Jackson's life instead of the
circumstances of his death."
He said Murray,
who remains jailed and is appealing his involuntary manslaughter
conviction, remains pained by Jackson's death and feels sorry for his
family. "His heart goes out to them," Peckham said.
Jackson's mother, Katherine, continues to pursue a
case against concert company AEG Live alleging it negligently hired and
supervised Murray, who was giving Jackson nightly doses of the powerful
anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid. Murray's treatments were conducted
while Jackson was preparing for a series of comeback concerts.
Her case is scheduled for trial in April.
Late Michael Jackson |
Joe Jackson's case claimed Murray repeatedly lied to
paramedics and doctors about giving Jackson propofol and that he did not
keep adequate medical records - all issues that prosecutors raised
against Murray during his trial last year.
He
had been seeking damages for a variety of issues, including loss of
income and support, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
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