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November 07, 2011
Conrad Murray Guilty: Jurors Find Doctor Responsible For Michael Jackson's Death
Dr. Conrad Murray, the former personal physician of Michael Jackson, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the King of Pop's 2009 death.
California jurors delivered their verdict to a stone-faced Murray on Monday after deliberating for ten hours.
The jury of seven men and five women concluded that the evidence was sufficient beyond any reasonable doubt that Murray caused the sleep-deprived singer's death.
On the ground, John Smith, 60, followed the trial for 33 days outside. "I never thought he would go on to be this huge," he said. "Mike was loved for his human rights, charity and music. Conrad Murray is going to be found guilty."
Kimberly Binion stood outside the courthouse holding a photo of herself and Michael Jackson from when they were both teens. She has been following the trial since it began and this is her first day outside to hear the verdict. "I think that Conrad Murray should get second-degree murder. Manslaughter is not enough," she told HuffPost.
The judge has ordered jurors' personal information sealed.
Before the verdict was read, crowds outside the courthouse were chanting "Guilty, guilty, guilty" and "This is it, this is it" -- not only signaling the resolution of a lengthy investigation, but recalling the name of the tour Jackson was working on at the time of his death.
Murray has been remanded without bail, and scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 29.
After the verdict was read, Julia Thomas, 39, burst into tears outside. She has been coming to courthouse for two years and has held protests outside Murray’s apartment. "I'm just overwhelmed. He was a great soul and a great humanitarian. Now there is justice for his children, family and for him," she said of Jackson.
Jamie Khawaja, also standing outside the courtyard, told HuffPost of feeling "an overwhelming feeling of jubilation and excitement. Conrad Murray has set an example for other doctors who are treating celebrities. He did not get away with it and now nobody else will either."
Murray faces a sentence ranging from probation to four years in prison, according to the Associated Press.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/07/conrad-murray-guilty-verdict_n_1074088.html
Jackson doctor convicted
in singer's 2009 drug death
Michael Jackson's doctor was convicted Monday of involuntary manslaughter after a trial that painted him as a reckless caregiver who administered a lethal dose of a powerful anesthetic that killed the pop star.
The verdict against Dr. Conrad Murray marked the latest chapter in one of pop culture's most shocking tragedies -- the death of the King of Pop on the eve of the singer's heavily promoted comeback concerts.
Members of Jackson's family wept quietly after the verdict was read, and his mother, Katherine Jackson later told The Associated Press, "I feel better now."
La Toya Jackson told the AP she was overjoyed.
"Michael was looking over us," she said on her way out of the courthouse.
Murray sat stone-faced during the verdict and was handcuffed and taken into custody without bail until sentencing on Nov. 29. He appeared calm as officials led him out of the courtroom.
"Dr. Murray's reckless conduct in this case poses a demonstrable risk to the safety of the public" if he remains free on bond, Judge Michael E. Pastor said.
District Attorney Steve Cooley said it will be difficult to achieve an appropriate sentence for Murray because of a new state prison alignment law that allows early release for people convicted of nonviolent felonies.
He said his office gave the case the same attention it would give a lower profile case, but conceded that because of the identity of the victim, "obviously this takes on a viral dimension."
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said the sympathies of prosecutors went out to the Jackson family who have "lost not a pop icon but a son and a father."
Jurors were escorted from the building and not available for comment after the verdict was read.
It was unclear whether the jury determined that Murray had administered the fatal dose of propofol while deciding he was responsible for the death of Jackson.
Prosecutors had said Murray violated at least 17 separate standards of care, a number of which could have resulted in death.
A shriek broke the eerie silence in the packed courtroom when the verdict was read, and the crowd erupted outside the courthouse. Jubilant Jackson fans cheered and sang "Beat It" as they held signs that read "guilty" and "killer." Passing motorists honked their horns.
The jury deliberated less than nine hours. The Houston cardiologist, 58, faces a sentence of up to four years in prison. He could also lose his medical license.
Murray's attorneys left the courtroom without commenting.
In Las Vegas, a former Murray patient and current friend, Donna DiGiacomo, sobbed and said she thought the jury was under "overwhelming pressure to convict."
"This man didn't deserve this. They needed a scapegoat," said DiGiacomo, 53, a former Long Island, N.Y., teacher's aide who said she didn't believe Murray did anything to intentionally harm Jackson.
http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2011/11/07/jury_in_jackson_case_a_diverse_cross_section_of_la/?p1=News_links
Jackson died on June 25, 2009, and details of his final days dribbled out over several months.
Posted by Nealus at November 7, 2011 06:31 PM
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