American Scene

CALIFORNIA

Jackson’s doctor pleads not guilty

LOS ANGELES | Michael Jackson’s doctor has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of the pop star.

Dr. Conrad Murray, a Houston cardiologist who was with Jackson when he died June 25, entered his plea Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court just hours after he was charged.

He could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Dr. Murray appeared in court in a gray suit as Jackson’s father Joe, mother Katherine, and siblings LaToya, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Randy sat behind prosecutors.

Jackson hired Dr. Murray to be his personal physician as he prepared for a strenuous series of comeback performances.

Officials say the singer died in Los Angeles after Dr. Murray administered the powerful general anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac to sleep.

CONNECTICUT

Toll stands at 5 in power plant blast

MIDDLETOWN | A fire official in the Connecticut city where a power plant exploded said the death toll should stand at five.

Deputy Fire Marshal Al Santostefano told the Associated Press on Monday that state police think no additional victims are trapped in the rubble of the Kleen Energy plant.

Mayor Sebastian Giuliano said everyone assigned to work at the plant that day had been accounted for.

Mr. Giuliano said no recovery efforts were made Monday because the site was not safe enough.

KANSAS

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