Michael Jackson doctor found guilty
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China.org.cn, November 8, 2011
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In this frame grab from video, deputies place handcuffs on Dr. Conrad Murray after his conviction on involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of pop star Michael Jackson, in Los Angeles Superior Court Monday, Nov. 7, 2011. Murray was Michael Jackson's physician when the pop star died in 2009. |
A Los Angeles Superior Court jury on Monday found pop superstar Michael Jackson's personal physician Conrad Murray guilty in the singer's Propofol-induced death, while the trial wrapped up on Monday afternoon.
Murray, who was a little bit shocked by the decision, was handcuffed after the verdict was read and was immediately remanded to custody in county jail.
Conrad Murray, 58, has been ordered jailed without bail pending his sentencing on Nov. 29.
At the conclusion of the six-week trial, the seven-man, five- woman jury read the long-expected verdict, which found Murray guilt of one count of involuntary manslaughter charge for Jackson' s June 25, 2009 death.
Murray, who faces up to four years in prison, remained stone- faced as the verdict was announced, showing no visible reaction.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said that Murray was convicted of a crime "where the end result was the death of a human being." Murray's "reckless conduct in this case" proved that he was a risk to public safety, according to Pastor.
The jury deliberated for about eight and a half hours before reaching a verdict.
Outside the downtown courthouse, droves of Michael Jackson fans cheered when the guilty verdict was announced. Several people waved signs that said "guilty," "Dr. Murray is a killer" and " Justice for Michael Jackson."
Many of them held up copies of Jackson's albums. One man, who refused to be named, said this is the victory to Jackson and his family. Murray is guilty because he failed to call 911, this is "a negligence for a doctor."
Another Jackson fan said that he could not be "happier."
When the verdict was announced, some cries of "Yes" could be heard from the courtroom audience. Fans outside the courtroom jubilated when the news was spread outside.
Jackson's parents, Katherine and Joe, were among those in the audience, along with his brother Jermaine and sister LaToya. Kathrine kissed Deputy District Attorney David Walgren on the cheek. Other Jackson family members also hugged and kissed prosecutors.
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Fans of Michael Jackson react outside the courthouse after the reading of the guilty verdict in Dr. Conrad Murray's trial in Los Angeles, November 7, 2011. Murray was found guilty on Monday of involuntary manslaughter in the pop star's death. |
In addition, 24 fans and 20 media members, as well as others, presented when the verdict was read.
Joe Jackson, the superstar's father, said that justice was done. His sister LaToya said that she felt worse in some ways because nothing will bring back Jackson.
Jackson, 50, died when he rehearsing for his sold-out series of 50 concerts dubbed "This Is It."
When delivering closing argument Thursday, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren called Murray's treatment of the pop icon " unethical, unconscionable, and an extreme deviation from the standard of care." He said Murray demonstrated "consciousness of guilt" by failing to tell paramedics and emergency room doctors that he had given the singer the potent drug.
The former doctor only told the police about the anesthetic two days later because he thought investigators had already found the medication at the singer's rented Holmby Hills mansion, according to Walgren.
Defense attorneys argued Murray, who was hired by Jackson to care for him two months before his death, was weaning Jackson off the medication. Defense attorney Edward Chernoff, in an impassionate rambling of closing argument on Thursday, said the prosecution lacked the proof that Murray had set up a Propofol drip the day the singer died, which in turn failed to hold Murray accountable for Jackson's death.
Prosecutors had sought to prove Murray had failed to properly monitor Jackson after giving him a lethal dose of Propofol. They contended that the cardiologist "repeatedly acted with gross negligence, repeatedly denied appropriate care to his patient, Michael Jackson, and that it was Dr. Murray's repeated incompetence and unskilled acts that led to Mr. Jackson's death on June 25, 2009."
Defense attorneys argued Murray was weaning Jackson off the medication. He was hired by Jackson to care for him two months before his death.
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