Michael Jackson's doctor plans to seek his day in court Friday — whether or not he's been charged in the singer's death.

After waiting all week to face a likely charge of manslaughter, Dr. Conrad Murray and his frustrated legal team plan to surrender at a Los Angeles courthouse.

"We are going to be at the courthouse at 1:30 (p.m.) for his surrender," said Miranda Sevcik, spokeswoman for Murray's legal team. "We see no reason to perpetuate the arbitrary situation any longer."

Dr. Conrad Murray has admitted giving the late pop singer a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

Murray, who was at Jackson's house at the time of his death on June 25, has been a focus of criminal investigations for months.

The Los Angeles coroner's office ruled that Jackson's death was a homicide, caused principally by propofol and the sedative lorazepam. A cocktail of other painkillers, sedatives and a stimulant were also found in his body.

Murray, a cardiologist, has repeatedly insisted he did nothing wrong and has told investigators he was not the first doctor to give Jackson propofol, according to court records.

Jackson's sudden death prompted a worldwide outpouring of grief for the singer, who started his career as a child and whose 1982 album "Thriller" remains the world's best-selling album.

Since then, Murray has stayed out of view. His lawyers have spoken very little. And prosecutors and investigators have been tight lipped.

"We know he's going to be charged with involuntary manslaughter and we are ready with a counterargument," Sevcik said. "He's not guilty — that's our argument."


Agencies