過失致死罪 ― involuntary manslaughter

2009年の6月に亡くなったポップ界の大スター、Michael Jackson。彼の死に関与したとして、主治医であった医師のConrad Murray氏の裁判が続いていましたが、有罪判決が下りました。罪状は、"involuntary manslaughter"（過失致死）。トップニュースになっています。


Michael Jackson's doctor was convicted Monday of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death for supplying an insomnia-plagued Jackson with a powerful operating-room anesthetic to help him sleep as he rehearsed for his big comeback.

Dr. Conrad Murray sat stone-faced, his chin held high, as he heard the verdict that could send him to prison for up to four years and cost him his license to practice medicine. He was handcuffed and immediately led off to jail without bail to await sentencing Nov. 29.
(Linda Deutsch. Jackson Doctor Convicted in Star's Drug Death. ABC News. November 8, 2011.)


引用したABC Newsの記事はまるで映画のワンシーンでも見ているようで、一気に読ませられました。

2ページに渡るやや長めの記事で、要約するつもりは毛頭ないのですが、かいつまんで読んでいただければ分かるようにこの判決は物議を醸すものになりそうです。家族は当然として、ファンからは有罪判決を歓迎する声が上がる一方、Murray医師はスケープゴートにされた、という声もあがっています。


A shriek broke the silence in the packed courtroom when the jury's decision was read, and the crowd outside the courthouse erupted in cheers. Jubilant Jackson fans sang "Beat It" and held signs that read "Guilty" and "Killer." Drivers honked their horns.

（中略）

In Las Vegas, a former Murray patient and current friend, Donna DiGiacomo, sobbed and said the jury was under "overwhelming pressure to convict."

"This man didn't deserve this. They needed a scapegoat," said DiGiacomo, a former Long Island, N.Y., teacher's aide who said she didn't believe Murray did anything to intentionally harm Jackson.
(ibid.)


Michael Jackson氏は不眠に悩まされていたそうですが、Murray医師は強力な麻酔剤を処方し、その直後にわずかな時間目を離した隙に亡くなったようです。このあたりが謎ですが、判決では処方後の適切な監視と助命のための措置を講じていなかったことを重過失（gross negligence）とし、これに関しては他の医師も同様のスタンスのようです。


There is no law against administering propofol or the other sedatives. But expert witnesses for the prosecution said that using propofol at home without lifesaving equipment on hand was an egregious deviation from the standard of medical care. Prosecutors called it gross negligence, the legal basis for an involuntary manslaughter charge.
(ibid.)


恐らく控訴になるのだと思いますが、しばらくは話題を独占するニュースになるのではないでしょうか。