Michael Jackson's doctor found guilty - Action News
Home WebMail Sunday, November 24, 2024, 04:33 AM | Calgary | -12.4°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Entertainment

Michael Jackson's doctor found guilty

A jury has pronounced Michael Jackson's doctor guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death.

A jury has found Michael Jackson's doctor guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the singers death.

A jury foreman read the verdict on Dr. Conrad Murray in a Los Angeles courtroom Monday afternoon.

Murray appeared impassive, but there was a sharp cry from the courtroom as the guilty verdict was read aloud. Outside the courthouse, a crowd erupted in cheers.

Dr. Conrad Murray listens to testimony in a Los Angeles courtroom during his trial. (Paul Buck/Associated Press)
The judge then asked each jury member individually whether they agreed with the verdict. They all answered "yes."

Murray was remanded in custody of the Los Angeles sheriff without bail until his sentencing.

The judge delivered a strong rebuke to the doctor, saying he believed Murray must be incarcerated because, as a convicted felon, he was a flight risk and a danger to the public.He was handcuffed as he was taken from the courtroom.

Members of Jackson's family, who were in the courtroom, wept quietly when the verdict was read.

Outside the court, Michael Jackson's sister La Toya Jackson said she is overjoyed with the conviction. "Michael was looking over us," she told an Associated Press reporter.

Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, said she was confident this would be the outcome of the trial.

The jury of seven men and five womenannounced they had reached a verdict late Monday morning, after deliberating just nine hours.

Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled.

Murray was Jackson's personal physician as the pop star prepared for his comeback concerts that summer in London.

Murray gave Jackson the surgical anesthetic propofol to help him sleep nearly every night for the last two months of his life, according to testimony.

During his 23-day trial, prosecutors sought to prove the doctor was criminally negligent. They called witnesses who testified use of propofol as a sleep aid was not recommended and that patients who used it should be continually monitored.

P.O.V.

Do you agree with the verdict?Take our survey.

The prosecution argued Murray was out of the room and not watching Jacksons vital signs at the time of his death.

Attorneys for the Houston-based cardiologist argued that Jackson self-administered the fatal dose when Murray left his bedroom. Theysaid Jackson was addicted to the drug and played tapes that seemed to indicate the singer had substance abuse issues.

Murray did not testify in his own defence. He faces a maximum penalty of four years in prison and loss of his medical licence.

He will be sentenced on Nov. 29.

With files from The Associated Press