Jackson’s doctor Murray expected to be charged today

But sources close to the case said Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been under investigation for months, would be charged with the crime of unlawfully killing another person without malice or intent. If convicted, he faces up to four years in jail.

A criminal case against Murray was widely expected to be filed this week because he has been in Los Angeles meeting with his legal team, and his attorney Ed Chernoff said the Houston cardiologist would surrender himself voluntarily if charged.

As recently as Thursday, Chernoff issued a statement saying he and the Los Angeles district attorney were discussing booking and arraignment procedures. But by Friday, media outlets reported that charges were delayed because of squabbling between police and prosecutors over how to handle Murray’s arrest. Other reports said Chernoff balked when the district attorney demanded Murray be handcuffed and walked into a courthouse in front of TV cameras.

Chernoff’s spokeswoman Miranda Sevcik told Reuters, “he [Chernoff] felt an arrest of Dr. Murray would be a waste of money, time and resources ... what the district attorney wanted I don’t know. Our only request was to surrender Dr. Murray.”

Los Angeles district attorney spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said there was “no truth” to reports of feuding among police and the D.A. or over arrangements to take Murray into custody.

“We did not file a case today because the necessary paperwork has to be prepared,” Gibbons said.

Jackson family fury

Jermaine Jackson, who with Michael was one of the members of Motown singing sensations The Jackson 5, told celebrity news television show “Entertainment Tonight” that his family was furious at the way the case was being handled.

“I think he [Murray] should be cuffed, he should be fingerprinted, he should have his mugshot just like they did my brother,” Jermaine said, referring to when Michael Jackson was arrested over allegations of child molestation.