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Even If He's Convicted, Dr. Murray Could Avoid Any Time Behind Bars

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Even if Dr. Conrad Murray is convicted of manslaughter in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, it is possible that he could avoid any time behind bars.

How is this possible? KCAL9's Randy Paige explains.

If Dr. Conrad Murray is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death, he would be sentenced to up to four years in state prison.

But Paige reports a new law could curtail that sentence. The law, which went into effect October 1, says defendants who are convicted of non-violent felonies -- including involuntary manslaughter -- will serve their time in the county jail system.

Nicole Nishida, a spokeswoman for the LA County Sheriff's Department, says that with overcrowding in the county jail system, many offenders are getting their sentences halved. She says, "Typically, as of right now, it's a one for one ratio...one day served, one [day] off."

So Murray's four-year sentence would then likely become two years.

And then Paige reports, when you consider Dr. Murray has no criminal history, and he is not likely to be seen as a threat to the community, he could spend a portion of those two years at home.

Nishida says, "That could be a possibility...electric monitoring."

Paige also notes that it is important to remember conviction remains a big "if."

Dr. Murray is presumed innocent until proven guilty and the defense team hasn't had a chance to present their case to the jury.

The defense is expected to call their first witness sometime early next week.

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