A recent Boston.com story, “Jackson Doctor’s Legal Bills Issue in Texas Court” reports that an insurer for the doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death has asked a judge to rule it is not responsible for the physician’s legal bills.  Medicus Insurance Co. argues that Dr. Conrad Murray’s medical malpractice policy doesn’t cover his defense costs because the case stems from alleged criminal wrongdoing, according to documents filed in state court in Houston.  Murray’s policy, which was purchased roughly a month before Jackson’s death in June 2009, did not cover incidents involving general anesthesia, the company argues.

Medicus, which is based in Austin, claims it is not required to defend Murray’s medical license in three states.  The insurer argues that scrutiny by Texas and California officials came as a result of allegations of wrongdoing in Jackson’s death, and that Nevada attempted to suspend Murray’s medical license because he was behind on child support payments, not for his medical work. 

The court filings do not indicate how much Murray’s defense in the various cases may cost.  The company’s lawsuit states that Murray’s policy only covers the doctor’s actions in Texas.  Medicus filed its case after Murray asked the insurers to pay for his defense in the California court case and medical board hearings in other states, according to the suit.