Trying to avoid spending the next four years behind bars, Conrad Murray is officially appealing his involuntary manslaughter conviction.

The former doctor was dealt the sentence this past Tuesday (November 29) after having been found guilty in the 2009 death of Michael Jackson.

Not willing to put his life in the hands of anyone but himself, Murray is reportedly planning on representing himself in the appeal - as he filed a court document initializing the process dubbed "propria persona" - which is Latin for "for oneself".

While he will be spearheading the legal effort, TMZ reports that Jackson's former doctor does plan to keep in communication with his defense attorney, Nareg Gourjian, throughout the process.