Pop Stand

Dr. Conrad Murray was officially charged with involuntary manslaughter yesterday in Los Angeles Superior Court. Murray pleaded "not guilty" to the charges and was released on $75,000 bail. Dr. Murray also had his medical license restricted, prohibiting him from prescribing or administering propofol or other heavy sedatives to patients.

The D.A. said in his statement that Dr. Murray "did unlawfully, and without malice, kill Michael Joseph Jackson...in the commission of an unlawful act, not amounting to a felony; and in the commission of a lawful act which might have produced death, in an unlawful manner, and without due caution and circumspection."

The coroner's report said that Jackson died from "acute propofol intoxication" at an amount that would be "equivalent to that of a patient facing 'major surgery.' "

If convicted, Dr. Murray could face up to four years in prison.

• • •

The Jackson family responded after Dr. Murray pleaded "not guilty" to the lesser charges of "involuntary manslaughter." Parents Joe and Katherine were present at the arraignment and reacted strongly. "He's lying. He's guilty. Nobody was there but him," said Katherine Jackson. "He's just trying to save his own behind. He killed him. He wasn't monitoring him." Father Joe Jackson said, "I didn't like today's hearing at all. I just want justice done and that was not justice."

In a statement, LaToya Jackson said, "Michael was murdered, and although he died at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray, I believe Dr. Murray was a part of a much larger plan. There are other individuals involved, and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served."

• • •

Also in court yesterday was Charlie Sheen, who was officially charged with felony menacing, as well as two misdemeanors -- third-degree assault and criminal mischief. Despite the charges, the judge also agreed to amend the protective order against Sheen to allow him to return home with his family to try to reconcile. But Sheen must "refrain from drinking alcohol, possessing guns or harassing Mueller."

Sheen's lawyer Richard Cummins said, "They finally got their restraining order lifted. They're finally able to communicate. You can imagine how hard it is to be married and not have any communication for some time. They're heading out to California so they can they work on their issues between them, and take care of their children and move forward with their lives."

• • •

Angelia Jolie and Brad Pitt are suing tabloid News of the World over their January story that stated that the Hollywood power couple were divorcing. The Jan. 24 story said that the couple had met with an attorney and were dividing assets, as well as hammering out a custody agreement for their children, and setting them up financially.

The story has since been removed from the website, but the publication refuses to retract the story in print. 

"The News of the World has failed to meet our clients' reasonable demands for a retraction of and apology for these false and intrusive allegations which have now been widely republished by mainstream news outlets," the couple's London-based attorney said.

Pitt and Jolie were spotted at the Super Bowl this weekend with very public displays of affection.

• • •

Hugh Hefner is being sued by shareholders of his Playboy magazine, who say that the while the magazine is falling apart, he continues to live an extravagant life. In 1999, the stock sold for $36 a share, but yesterday, the selling price was $3.14.The suit says that Hefner has deliberately sabotaged a pair of deals that would have seen the magazine sold at a fair price.

An investment company who analyzed Playboy's business summed it up, saying "If you were Hugh Hefner, 81, would you give up the parade of busty blonds, the fancy mansion and the reality TV show for a payout?"

• • •

Gary Coleman has pleaded guilty to domestic violence criminal mischief in his case in Utah. Coleman was sentence to 31 days in jail, but he can avoid the time in jail if he pays a fine and attends a domestic violence program. The domestic violence assault charge was dropped.

• • •

The Super Bowl between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts was the highest rated program ... ever. The 31-17 victory by the Saint officially broke the television ratings record set by the finale of M*A*S*H. The Super Bowl had 106.5 million viewers according to CBS. 

• • •

TMZ has pics of something we've never seen before... Former American Idol contestant Chris Daughtry with hair. The site has pics from a concert in Miami over the weekend.

Speaking of American Idol, join Anne Neville here at Pop Stand tonight as she chats live during the first day of Hollywood week.