Prosecutors and defense lawyers will present closing arguments Thursday at the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, after five weeks of testimony heavily implicating him in the star's 2009 death.
Prosecutor David Walgren, generally seen as having done a masterful job in pinning the death on Conrad Murray, will summarize his arguments as to why the medic should be found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Murray's defense lawyer Ed Chernoff will then take the floor for the daunting task of convincing the seven-man, five-woman jury that Jackson was a desperate drug addict who effectively caused his own death.
The 58-year-old doctor announced on Tuesday that he would not take the stand in his own defense at the Los Angeles Superior Court, where he has been on trial since September 27.
After the closing arguments members of the jury -- who have sat through more than five weeks of sometimes harrowing, sometimes bafflingly technical testimony -- will retire to consider their verdict.
Murray faces up to four years in jail and could lose his medical licenses if -- as is widely expected -- he is found guilty of Jackson's death at the age of 50 on June 25, 2009, as the star was preparing for an ill-fated comeback tour.
Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication" at his rented mansion in the plush Holmby Hills district outside Los Angeles, where he was rehearsing for an ill-fated series of comeback concerts in London.
The prosecution claims that Murray, being paid $150,000 (105,000 euros) a month to look after Jackson, killed the star by administering a deadly cocktail of drugs to help him sleep and then abandoning him at a crucial moment.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Jury ponders fate of Jackson doctor
Tension mounted Friday as the jury in the manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray began deliberating over whether he is guilty of the star's 2009 death.
The seven men and five women have to reach a verdict on a sole charge of involuntary manslaughter against the 58-year-old Murray, accused of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful sedative propofol to help him sleep.
The jury began considering its verdict after a day of drama Thursday, when prosecution and defense lawyers presented their closing arguments at the trial, which began on September 27.
In a powerful summary, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said the 58-year-old medic caused the star's death through negligence and greed, depriving his children of their father and the world of a "genius."
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff then took the floor to claim that Murray was "a little fish in a big dirty pond," alleging that key witnesses conspired to agree on a story after Jackson died at his LA mansion on June 25, 2009.
Outside the court, fans carrying placards including "Straight to jail and throw away the key" and "One way ticket to jail" gathered from early morning to await the verdict, which could come later Friday.
"I think it will happen... because the jury has heard enough, we have all heard enough, I think we're all ready to get it done with," said Tami Capps, from Oklahoma.
"I think this jury... knows enough that they will come to a verdict today," Capps, one of a handful of Jackson fans who won a seat in court in a daily lottery if the verdict is given, told HLN television.
Murray faces up to four years in jail and could lose the right to practice medicine if convicted over Jackson's death from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, combined with other sedatives administered to help him sleep.
Walgren, summing up an "overwhelming case" against Murray, said Thursday that the medic invented lies to cover his tracks -- namely about the timeline on the day Jackson died, or not telling paramedics what drugs he had given.
Murray above all wanted to protect his $150,000 a month salary for looking after Jackson, Walgren said, describing how the doctor agreed to treat the star's insomnia with the anesthetic propofol against all medical advice.
"Conrad Murray in multiple instances deceived, lied, obscured, but more importantly, Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence," Walgren told the jury.
The defense has argued that Jackson was a desperate drug addict who caused his own death by taking more medicines while Murray was out of the room at the star's rented mansion in Los Angeles.
Murray's lawyer Chernoff hammered away at that theme in his closing argument -- but also questioned the integrity of key witnesses, including Jackson's chief bodyguard Alberto Alvarez.
Chernoff suggested that Alvarez cooked up a story about what exactly happened with other witnesses, possibly to earn more money from media hungry for a good story.
The defense lawyer also said that Jackson was under a huge amount of pressure from concert promoters AEG Live, who he suggested conspired to implicate Murray because it would deflect responsibility from them.
"He was just a little fish in a big dirty pond," he said of Murray, who had been hired just two months before Jackson's death.
Micheal Jackson fans, family cheer Murray's guilty verdict
Michael Jackson fans cheered and his family members hailed as a triumph the verdict that found Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death.
The "Thriller" singer died in June 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol, which Murray, his personal physician, administered to Jackson as a sleep aid.
Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and elder sister Rebbie cried silently as the guilty verdict was read. As she left the courtroom, Katherine was asked by reporters if she was pleased and her answer was simply: "I am."
Brother Jermaine told reporters, "Justice was served. Michael is with us." Other family members including father Joe Jackson, and siblings La Toya and Randy were whisked away from the court building in cars and did not talk to the media.
But on Twitter, La Toya posted: "VICTORY!!!!!!" and later tweeted, "Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice!"
Murray faces up to four years in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.
Prosecutors said they were "gratified" at the outcome.
"We finally want to extend our sympathies to the Jackson family -- especially to Prince, Paris and Blanket. They have lost a beloved father. Nothing can make up for that loss," said Los Angeles district attorney Steve Cooley.
'Mixed Emotions'
Asked by reporters if he was disappointed, Murray's attorney, J Michael Flanagan, told reporters: "Of course", but the defense did not make a statement.
Jackson's friends weighed-in, too. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton released a statement saying he had "mixed emotions" that Murray wasn't given greater punishment, but "was pleased that this jury didn't blame Michael for his own death."
The six-week trial took place without much of the media hype and fan attention surrounding Jackson's 2005 trial on charges of child molestation, but by the time the verdict was handed down on Monday afternoon, around 100 fans had gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse and cheered the verdict.
Some fans shouted "thank you judge," and passersby honked their car horns. Fans sang and danced to Jackson's songs such as "Beat It" and the old Jackson Five hit "ABC."
Dana Brenklin, 35, of Los Angeles, burst into tears when the verdict was read.
"It's not going to bring back Michael but for 2 years, I had a project -- justice for Michael Jackson -- and I got what I wanted. Hopefully they'll strip his (Murray's) license and I hope he can't practice medicine ever," Brenklin said.
A 32-year-old Los Angeles man calling himself Scorpio, who was dressed like Jackson in cream military suit with sunglasses and one sequined glove, called the verdict, "brilliant."
"This is one of the happiest days of my life and I'm sure the family's life," said Scorpio. "Now his mother can relax and rest and not worry about court in the morning."
The "Thriller" singer died in June 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol, which Murray, his personal physician, administered to Jackson as a sleep aid.
Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and elder sister Rebbie cried silently as the guilty verdict was read. As she left the courtroom, Katherine was asked by reporters if she was pleased and her answer was simply: "I am."
Brother Jermaine told reporters, "Justice was served. Michael is with us." Other family members including father Joe Jackson, and siblings La Toya and Randy were whisked away from the court building in cars and did not talk to the media.
But on Twitter, La Toya posted: "VICTORY!!!!!!" and later tweeted, "Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice!"
Murray faces up to four years in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.
Prosecutors said they were "gratified" at the outcome.
"We finally want to extend our sympathies to the Jackson family -- especially to Prince, Paris and Blanket. They have lost a beloved father. Nothing can make up for that loss," said Los Angeles district attorney Steve Cooley.
'Mixed Emotions'
Asked by reporters if he was disappointed, Murray's attorney, J Michael Flanagan, told reporters: "Of course", but the defense did not make a statement.
Jackson's friends weighed-in, too. Civil rights activist Al Sharpton released a statement saying he had "mixed emotions" that Murray wasn't given greater punishment, but "was pleased that this jury didn't blame Michael for his own death."
The six-week trial took place without much of the media hype and fan attention surrounding Jackson's 2005 trial on charges of child molestation, but by the time the verdict was handed down on Monday afternoon, around 100 fans had gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse and cheered the verdict.
Some fans shouted "thank you judge," and passersby honked their car horns. Fans sang and danced to Jackson's songs such as "Beat It" and the old Jackson Five hit "ABC."
Dana Brenklin, 35, of Los Angeles, burst into tears when the verdict was read.
"It's not going to bring back Michael but for 2 years, I had a project -- justice for Michael Jackson -- and I got what I wanted. Hopefully they'll strip his (Murray's) license and I hope he can't practice medicine ever," Brenklin said.
A 32-year-old Los Angeles man calling himself Scorpio, who was dressed like Jackson in cream military suit with sunglasses and one sequined glove, called the verdict, "brilliant."
"This is one of the happiest days of my life and I'm sure the family's life," said Scorpio. "Now his mother can relax and rest and not worry about court in the morning."
MJ's doctor defends treatment with propofol
Michael Jackson's doctor has defended his use of the surgical anesthetic propofol to put the entertainer to sleep.
Dr. Conrad Murray also said in a TV interview that he did not tell paramedics he had administered the drug because the amount he gave Jackson was inconsequential.
Murray, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Monday, gave the interview to NBC's "Today" show days before his conviction.
Murray said he did not feel a need to monitor Jackson constantly and acknowledged being on the phone outside the singer's bedroom where he could not see him.
In retrospect he said he probably should have walked away when Jackson asked for propofol. But he said he would have been abandoning a friend.
NBC released excerpts of the interview set for broadcast Thursday and Friday.
Dr. Conrad Murray also said in a TV interview that he did not tell paramedics he had administered the drug because the amount he gave Jackson was inconsequential.
Murray, who was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter on Monday, gave the interview to NBC's "Today" show days before his conviction.
Murray said he did not feel a need to monitor Jackson constantly and acknowledged being on the phone outside the singer's bedroom where he could not see him.
In retrospect he said he probably should have walked away when Jackson asked for propofol. But he said he would have been abandoning a friend.
NBC released excerpts of the interview set for broadcast Thursday and Friday.
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