Physician investigated in Michael Jackson’s death returns to work at his Houston clinic

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Jackson’s doctor returns to work at Houston clinic

HOUSTON — Michael Jackson’s doctor returned to work at his Houston medical clinic on Monday for the first time since the pop star’s death.

Dr. Conrad Murray arrived at the Armstrong Medical Clinic and was greeted by a couple patients and the pastor of his church. He didn’t speak with reporters before entering the clinic, but a spokeswoman for his attorney said Murray was looking forward to getting back to work and seeing patients.

Murray, a cardiologist licensed in Nevada, Texas and California, was hired to be Jackson’s personal physician during a world tour. He was with Jackson when the 50-year-old singer died June 25.

The doctor has been the focus of a Los Angeles police homicide investigation since telling investigators he administered propofol, a powerful operating room anesthetic, to Jackson to help the pop star sleep.

Murray, who lives in Las Vegas, has not been charged with a crime.

Patients outside the Houston clinic on Monday praised Murray’s work as a physician and called him a community role model.

“He’s a good doctor, he’s a kind man,” said Ransom Craddock, 81. “We all in this community welcome him back. We need him in this community.”

Murray’s attorney, Edward Chernoff, said his client has not been able to earn a living since Jackson’s death.

“His legal fees are enormous and his debts have mounted to the point where it is unclear whether he will be able to keep his house or support his family,” Chernoff said. “His intentions are to attend to these patients who have continued to support him, despite the attention and despite the threats.”

Authorities searched Murray’s Houston clinic and a rented storage unit on July 22 and conducted searches later at Murray’s home and office in Las Vegas, at properties in Los Angeles and at a Las Vegas pharmacy where police say Murray bought five 100-milliliter bottles of propofol.

Chernoff said Murray has been followed and threatened since Jackson died and felt he had to close his Las Vegas office because patients were being harassed as they came and went. Chernoff said Murray will eventually reopen that office.

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this report.