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Michael Jackson's Doctor Sentenced To Four Years In Prison

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The doctor convicted of killing Michael Jackson has been sentenced to the maximum term of four years behind bars.

Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced Tuesday, three weeks after a jury convicted the cardiologist of involuntary manslaughter. The judge chastised him for a "horrific violation of trust" in caring for Jackson.

Prosecutors had urged the judge to sentence the doctor to the maximum, arguing his treatment of Jackson with a powerful anesthetic ended the life of the King of Pop and left his three children without a father.

Attorneys for the 58-year-old Murray argued that probation was a more appropriate sentence, given his lack of a criminal history and the fact he will lose his medical license.

Sheriff's officials say Murray will serve a little less than two years behind bars.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Nicole Nishida says Dr. Conrad Murray will be housed in a one-man cell and kept away from other prisoners.

She says the doctor's involuntary manslaughter sentence is automatically being cut in half due to state laws.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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