Jackson Doctor about to be Sentenced
ROWLANDS: Checking news "Cross Country" now. Parts of the south getting hit with a rare November snowstorm. Accumulations of two to four inches are possible in parts of Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and North Carolina. On New York's Long Island two more students accused in a college entrance exam cheating ring have surrendered to police. A total of 20 current or former high school students now face criminal charges in connection with the pay-for-testing scandal. And a Utah professor is pleading not guilty to charges of watching child porn on a plane. The University of Utah has placed Professor Grant Smith on administrative leave and will fire him if the allegations turn out to be true. Well, in less than two hours Michael Jackson's doctor will learn his fate. Conrad Murray's sentencing for involuntary manslaughter comes more than two years after the singer's death. Joining us now on the line, J. Michael Flanagan, one of Dr. Murray's attorneys. Prosecutors and the Jackson family are seeking the maximum here, Mr. Flanagan, four years. You're arguing for probation. What are you expecting that Judge Pastor is going to come up with in terms of a sentence?</s>J. MICHAEL FLANAGAN, CONRAD MURRAY'S ATTORNEY (via telephone): Well, Judge Pastor should follow the sentencing guidelines and evaluate the nature of the crime and the nature of the defendant, the nature of the victim. If you were to follow those guidelines, they would probably dictate low term of two years or -- probably from Los Angeles -- is recommending three years. The Jackson family and the prosecutor want four years. We've been asking for probation. What do I anticipate will happen? I would imagine Judge Pastor will give him the four years, based upon everything that has gone on in the case so far.</s>ROWLANDS: If the judge does give your client four years, which like I say is entirely possible here. You're asking that because of budget constraints in California, that your client be basically detained in house detention or something like that. Is that realistic in this case? And is it fair? I mean, after all, he was found guilty in the murder of Michael Jackson and the homicide.</s>FLANAGAN: Well, he wasn't found guilty of the murder of Michael Jackson. Murder is an intentional act.</s>ROWLANDS: Homicide, right.</s>FLANAGAN: He was found guilty of his involuntary manslaughter. That's an accidental death. Since October in California, we've had an A.B. 109 bill which is called the Realignment Bill which indicates that nonviolent prisoners should be housed at the county level. State prison being reserved for violent offenders, sex offenders and people who might be a danger to the community. So, in all likelihood, Dr. Murray would be referred to at a county facility controlled by the sheriff. The sheriff in L.A. County, Lee Baca. Lee Baca can make the decision as to whether or not he thinks Dr. Murray is a nonviolent offender or make a decision based upon he is a threat to the community and he can release him to an alternative type of facility.</s>ROWLANDS: Do you, you have talked to Murray. What is his state of mind and do you expect the Jackson family members to address the court today in a few hours?</s>FLANAGAN: Yes. I anticipate the Jacksons will be at least some of the family members will be making comments. Today, it's been represented to me by the D.C. last week that they were going to do that. I don't know exactly who and how many of them.</s>ROWLANDS: All right, Jay Michael Flanagan, attorney for Conrad Murray who will find out his fate in just a few hours in a Los Angeles courtroom -- thank you, Mr. Flanagan, for joining us on the phone this morning. Well, how much is Facebook worth? Could be in the $100 billion in the next few months. The company is reportedly working on plans to go public and soon. And going into the wild. Conservationists in Africa are using GPS collars and text messages to keep close tabs on lions in Kenya. We'll tell you how and why coming up after the break.