Jackson family drops money claim against doctor

LOS ANGELES: Michael Jackson's family has dropped a claim for compensation from the star's former doctor Conrad Murray over his 2009 death, an official said Thursday.

Prosecutors were due in court next week to press a claim against Murray -- who was jailed for four years in November after being guilty of involuntary manslaughter -- to pay over $100 million in restitution to the family.

That court date had been taken off the calendar after the Jackson family decided it would no longer seek restitution, said an official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A spokesman for the Los Angeles District Attorney's office was not immediately available to comment on the case.

Prosecutors announced when Murray was jailed that they would seek restitution of $100 million, plus more than $1 million in funeral-associated costs -- from Murray on behalf of Jackson's children.

But Murray's lawyers said there was no point, since Murray does not have any money.

Observers said the restitution claim could be to prevent Murray profiting from the case in the future, by book or other deals.

Murray, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for having given the King of Pop an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol while trying to help him sleep at his mansion on June 25, 2009.

Jackson was in Los Angeles rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts in London when he died. (AFP)