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Murray To File Appeal In Attempt to Save Medical License

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray say they will seek to overturn his conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

Murray was found guilty Monday of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, and remanded to the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff with no bail. Murray's legal team Tuesday said the doctor is devastated.

Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian said he expected Judge Michael Pastor to set bail upon hearing the jury's verdict, and was surprised to see his client led away in handcuffs.

Also surprised was Loyola Law School professor Stan Goldman.

"The idea that anybody would flee the country and be a fugitive for the rest of their lives, rather than serve what will probably amount to a few months in the LA County Jail seems somewhat unlikely," says Goldman.

He believes the judge may have denied bail in order to ensure Murray will serve at least three weeks, given the chance Murray may be released quickly once he is sentenced.

Goldman says he paid careful attention to the testimony in the case and believes there is little chance of Murray's legal team winning their appeal.

"I believe personally the judge made some mistakes in restricting what the defense was allowed to delve into about Jackson," says Goldman. "His drug history, and his financial condition…it might very well have kept the jury out talking a little bit longer."

However, Goldman says to argue that jurors would have reached a different decision had they heard this information would be difficult in the California Court of Appeals.

Once the appeal has been filed, Murray will likely have served his time before it can be heard. But Goldman says one reason to continue to seek to overturn the verdict is to save Murray's medical license.

Sources in the sheriff's department say Murray has been cooperative, and describe him as a model inmate. Murray spent Monday night in the correctional treatment center, which is customarily a first stop for inmates new to the jail population.

He was expected to be moved Tuesday to a housing unit, where he will stay until his sentencing on Nov. 29.

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