Michael Jackson’s Doc in Court for Child Support Hearing

November 17, 2009 by Cathy Ribble
Filed under: News

Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist targeted in connection with the death of pop star Michael Jackson, appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom to settle up a child support dispute.

Menita Malibiran waived her rights to $13,000 in back child support in return for Dr. Murray’s guarantee that he will send monthly checks for $1,000 to care for their 10-year-old son. The court also ordered the doctor to pay $700 in court fees.

When the family court judge asked Murray if he had made any of the delinquent child support payments, the doctor replied, “No, your honor.”

Dr. Murray must show proof of the child support payments when the case comes up for review every three months. The doctor skipped out on an October hearing and the family court issued a warrant for Murray’s arrest. Any future failure to recognize the court’s authority will likely have dire consequences for the cardiologist.

The doctor is sure to be incurring huge legal fees after being targeted by Los Angeles authorities in the manslaughter investigation, and he blames his inability to make payments on Jackson’s death. No formal charges have yet been filed against Dr. Murray.

Attorneys for Dr. Murray filed objections to the arrest warrant claiming, “As a result of the media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death, combined with the deleterious effects of the current recession [Murray] was simply unable to meet his obligations.”

The lawyers went on to claim that Murray had no intention to “evade his obligations,” and added that he is “temporarily unable to maintain a practice or obtain employment because of the extensive media coverage related to the death of Michael Jackson.”