Michael Jackson’s doctor has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter over the singer’s death.

Dr Conrad Murray entered his plea during a short court hearing in Los Angeles earlier today (February 8).

A judge must now decide if the case is to go to trial. If found guilty, Dr Murray faces up to four years in prison.

He has been bailed for $75,000 - a quarter of the sum prosecutors originally requested.

Jackson died in Los Angeles on June 25, aged 50. An autopsy ruled his death as homicide "due to lethal levels of propofol".

Dr Murray told police he had been administering the drug to help the singer sleep, according to an affidavit.

But he has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

Dr Murray had been hired as the singer’s personal physician ahead of his ill-fated comeback gigs in London.

(by Jason Gregory)