-by Mike Finkelstein
After weeks of back and forth over the charges, Dr. Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty today to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
“Your Honor, I am an innocent man,” he said, “I therefore plead not guilty.”
Murray has been the focal point of an investigation since Jackson died June 25, 2009, at age 50. He acknowledged that he administered the hospital anesthetic propofol and other sedatives as Jackson, a chronic insomniac, struggled to sleep.  ÂÂÂ
Criminal defense attorney Steve Cron told the AP that Murray’s defense team must answer critical questions about the doctor’s actions, including why he delayed calling 911 and why he failed to tell medics he had given propofol:
“All these are little bits of evidence…None of them alone caused his death, but all together they may have.”
If convicted, Murray could face a maximum of four years in prison and will likely never practice medicine again. His medical license has already been suspended pending the outcome of the trial.
The trial date is set for March 28.