Final arguments due at Jackson doctor trial

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.

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."

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.

Slurred Michael Jackson voice fills LA courtroom

Disturbing sounds and images from Michael Jackson's life and death played a key role on Wednesday in the manslaughter trial of his doctor, with jurors hearing a recording of the self-styled King of Pop speaking in a slurred voice and viewing a photo of his dead body. Prosecutors also showed pictures of a jug of urine found by Jackson's bed after his June 25, 2009 death, and a coroner's investigator testified she found a large collection of sedatives and painkillers in the "Thriller" singer's room.

A recording of a May 2009 conversation between the singer and his physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, marked one of the most dramatic moments in the doctor's week-old trial on charges of involuntary manslaughter.

Jackson is heard speaking slowly, in a low and at times incoherent voice, slurring his words.

"My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream," Jackson said.

"I love them because I didn't have a childhood. I had no childhood. I feel their pain."

"Elvis didn't do it. Beatles didn't do it. We have to be phenomenal," Jackson is heard saying of his planned 50 London comeback concerts. He said he wanted to use the profits from the shows to fund a children's hospital.

Jackson's brother Jermaine Jackson wiped away tears while listening to the tape.

Prosecutors are seeking to prove through the tape Murray knew the powerful effects of the drugs they claim he was giving Jackson, well before the singer died in his care.

Murray denies involuntary manslaughter -- or criminal negligence -- in Jackson's death from what medical examiners have said was an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol combined with sedatives.

The doctor has admitted giving Jackson propofol that day as a sleep aid. But his attorneys claim Jackson gave himself an extra, fatal dose of propofol when Murray was out of the room.

Coroner's investigator Elissa Fleak testified on Wednesday she found a large collection of drugs and medical paraphernalia scattered through Jackson's bedroom and an adjoining walk-in closet. They included vials of propofol and the sedative lorazepam.

There were also other drugs in a wicker basket beside Jackson's bed that were prescribed by doctors other than Murray. Some bottles were made out to "Mick Jackson" or "Omar Arnold."

Fleak said it was she who took a photo of Jackson lying dead on a hospital gurney that was shown to the jury on Wednesday.

MJ doc may get a taste his own medicine

Doctors who tried to revive Michael Jackson at a Los Angles hospital testified on Monday that the singer's personal physician never told them he gave him the anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid.

Defense attorneys claim that after Murray gave Jackson propofol, the pop star took another, fatal, dose of the drug when Murray was out of the room.

Murray, who has pleaded not guilty, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

The testimony came as the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray entered its second week. Medical examiners have determined Jackson, 50, died on June 25, 2009 from an overdose of propofol and sedatives.

Emergency doctors at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles said that Jackson was already dead when he arrived there. Nevertheless, lengthy attempts were made to revive him before he was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m.

"My assessment when he arrived was that he was clinically dead," emergency room doctor Richelle Cooper said.

Murray told doctors that he had given Jackson only the sedative lorazepam.

Cardiologist Thao Nguyen said she could not get Murray to explain to her how much time passed between when he gave Jackson the lorazepam, and when the singer stopped breathing.

"He said he did not have any concept of time, he did not have a watch," Nguyen told jurors.

Two days after Jackson's death, Murray admitted to police that he gave the singer 25 milligrams of propofol as a sleep aid on the day he died. Prosecutors have said Murray gave Jackson that propofol at about 10:45 a.m., based on his statements to police.

Murray's defense attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, asked Cooper how long a patient who received the relatively small dose of 25 mg of propofol would remain sedated.

"If it did achieve sedation, I would expect if he didn't have any medical problems, within seven to 10 minutes it would probably be worn off," Cooper said.

CELL CALLS

Prosecutors have argued Murray acted irresponsibly by administering propofol, which can stop a person from breathing, at home instead of in a hospital where there is equipment needed to revive a patient in an emergency.
Cooper testified that when she administers propofol, there is a doctor and a nurse monitoring on hand, and that there is equipment to monitor heart and breathing.

Paramedics have testified they did not see such machines in Jackson's bedroom.


Also on Monday, phone company officials testified Murray was busy on his cell phone between 10:45 a.m., when he is believed to have administered the propofol, and 11:56 a.m. when prosecutors say he interrupted a phone call when he discovered Jackson had stopped breathing

'Michael Forever' tribute concert

Tens of thousands of fans rocked to the hits of Michael Jackson on Saturday at a tribute concert his brothers hoped would put the spotlight on his musical legacy after so much controversy.
The late singer's children -- Prince, 14, Paris, 13 and "Blanket," 9 -- appeared on stage briefly to address the crowd and at the end joined other family members dancing to "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
"We're very happy to be here on this special night to honor our father," said Paris, dressed in a red jacket similar to the one worn by Jackson in his groundbreaking "Thriller" music video.
The "Beat It" star, one of the most successful yet troubled artists of the pop era, died in 2009 aged 50 while rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts.
The "Michael Forever" tribute in Cardiff, Wales, coincides with the involuntary manslaughter trial of the singer's doctor in Los Angeles, drawing criticism from some fans and members of his family.
Brothers Jermaine and Randy boycotted the event because of the timing, while sister Janet said it would be too painful to perform in Cardiff during the trial.
But it had the blessing of his mother Katherine, who was at the gig, and Michael's older brother Marlon said it should be seen as a celebration of Jackson's music.
"They (the fans) have the right to (protest)," he said backstage. "I think they have the right to do whatever they feel, but we're celebrating the positive side of our brother's life.
"We know our brother better than anybody else and he would love that we are doing this for him and remembering him in that way."
"MICHAEL SUFFERED"
U.S. musician Ne-Yo kicked off the four-hour extravaganza at the Millennium Stadium with the tight beats of "Billie Jean" before slowing the tempo in "The Lady In My Life."
"It's not about the controversy, it's not about the trial, it's not about his death. It's about celebrating his life, it's about celebrating his music," Ne-Yo said from a stage shaped like a giant glove.
British boy band JLS sang "The Way You Make Me Feel" before being joined by three of the original Jackson 5 -- Marlon, Tito and Jackie -- in a rendition of "Blame it on the Boogie."
"Can you feel his spirit in the room tonight?" called out Marlon, and the mostly young crowd screamed "Yes!"
Jackson's sister La Toya performed live in public for the first time in nearly 20 years, while three of his nephews appeared in their band 3T.
"I had absolutely no intention of performing," La Toya told Reuters. "I was hesitant about this and at the last minute I said you have to do it for him ... and I did, so I'm happy that I did. It's worth honouring him this way."
The lineup also featured Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Beyonce on video and Jamie Foxx, and among British stars appearing were Leona Lewis and Diversity.
Toward the end, pictures of Jackson were beamed on to giant screens as "empress of soul" Gladys Knight, accompanied by a gospel choir, sang "Gone Too Soon."
Earlier, her powerful rendition of "Believe in Yourself" was a highlight, and she was joined in a duet of "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" by Motown great Smokey Robinson.
Robinson told Reuters: "There will be many mimics, but there will never be another Michael Jackson.
"He got to the point where he had no private life whatsoever," he added.
"When you are in a business that you love and you are doing what you love, however you can't go out and just get in your car or go to the store or go to the movies -- that's got to be rough. That's what he suffered."
Reaction was mixed among people streaming out of the arena after the gig, with many ecstatic but some underwhelmed by "under-rehearsed" numbers and long gaps between some songs