Murray, 60, was sentenced to the maximum four-year term allowed for his role in the death of Jackson on June 25, 2009, from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, which was administered by Murray.
Under state sentencing rules, Murray was eligible for parole well in advance of four years, but Murray has nonetheless endured a long ordeal since Jackson's death, said his attorney Valerie Wass.
"It's been a long time coming," Wass said of Murray's impending release. "I'm so anxious for him to get out and get on with his life."
The physician has challenged his conviction, and that effort will continue in the court of appeal, Wass said. Murray would like the verdict overturned because of insufficient evidence, which would entitle him to practice medicine once more in California. But Wass also has filed on other grounds, which would not necessarily preserve Murray's license, but would undo the conviction.
A Los Angeles jury this month found that concert promoter AEG Live was not liable in Jackson's death, capping a marathon civil trial that laid bare the troubled singer's health problems, struggles with drugs and fateful attempt at a comeback tour. The issues in court included who was responsible for hiring Murray and overseeing his treatment of Jackson.
The exact timing of Murray's release was unknown Sunday night. There was some chatter among those following the case about an early-morning release to avoid heavy media attention. News outlets were taking no chances, choosing to stake out Men's Central Jail downtown since Sunday evening.
"I expected his release to be during normal business hours," Wass said.
Regardless of the timing, it's already too late, she said, to avoid a "media circus."
Wass added that Murray could be let go somewhere else but, as she understood it, his release was mostly likely to take place downtown.
Authorities have "been very hush-hush about this," Wass said. "I'm going to trust they've got it taken care of. I'd like to know myself."
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Twitter: @howardblume | howard.blume@latimes.com
