Michael Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray has been found guilty by a Los Angeles jury of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the king of pop.
The verdict was read to the court at about 4:15 p.m. and each juror affirmed their vote. During the brief process Murray sat emotionless.
A muffled scream could be heard in the background as the verdict was read.
Murray went on trial on Sept. 27, in what was one of the most sensational trials since O.J. Simpson was accused of murder.
Michael Jackson’s Death Photo
Michael Jackson’s lifeless body lies on a hospital gurney on June 25, 2009. It was introduced at trial today by the prosecution. Warning some may find the photo disturbing. Click photo to enlarge.
Murray now faces up to four years in prison and the likely loss of his medical license. He has the right to appeal the verdict, however.
The prosecutor’s case was on target for most of the trial.
Los Angeles deputy district attorney David Walgren opened his case by showing a photo of Jackson dead, lying on a hospital gurney.
The 50-year-old singer suffered cardiac arrest from acute intoxication by the drug propofol, a powerful anesthetic rarely used outside of a hospital.
Murray was Jackson’s supervising physician and was present when the singer died in June 2009. Murray has acknowledged administering the drug to Jackson to help him sleep.
But the defense maintains that Jackson gave himself the fatal dose of the drug while he was out of the room.
The King of Pop’s fans and Dr Murray’s supporters (yes, he has some) were on hand outside the courthouse in what look like a sports rally.
They were waving placards and banners, while the Jackson family made their way into court.
“Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide,” Walgren said in his opening statements.
“The evidence will show that Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray… Michael Jackson trusted his life to the medical skills of Conrad Murray.”
But defense attorney Ed Chernoff maintained that Jackson caused his own death.
Chernoff outlining the defense’s strategy to create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors, argued that evidence will show the singer swallowed eight, 2-mg pills of Lorazepam, a powerful sedative and and injected himself with propofol.
The upshot was a “perfect storm in his body that killed him instantly,” Mr Chernoff asserted. “He died so fast he did not even have time to close his eyes.”
To the contrary, “Dr Murray’s repeated incompetent and unskilled acts that led to Michael Jackson’s death on June 25 2009,” Walgren said.
Check out the videos below: