By ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES  — A judge refused Friday to release Michael Jackson’s doctor on bail while he appeals his conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the pop star’s death.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said Conrad Murray is a flight risk and would be a danger to society if he tries to practice medicine again.

During a bail hearing, the judge cited a statement by Murray during a documentary interview that he thought it was permissible to give the anesthetic propofol in a home setting. Jackson died of an overdose of the drug in June 2009 while in Murray’s care.

Murray was not present at the hearing Friday.

Murray, 59, has been kept in solitary confinement in Los Angeles County jail, as his appeal of his conviction winds its way through the courts.

His attorneys have said he should be released either on his own recognizance or on bail with an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet.

Murray was convicted Nov. 7 after a trial focusing on use of propofol.

Murray’s four-year jail sentence is the highest penalty that could be imposed for the crime. Under current sentencing guidelines, he will probably serve half of that term.

Defense lawyers have said Murray knows he cannot work as a doctor but would find other employment if released on bail. He said Murray is extremely sorrowful about Jackson’s death.

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