Conrad Murray Found Guilty In Michael Jackson Trial

[Family Ties Forever!]

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Conrad Murray Found Guilty In Michael Jackson Trial
By Alan Duke CNN

Posted: Monday, November 7, 2011
Updated: 3:56 pm CST November 7, 2011

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty Monday of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. A stone-faced Murray appeared to show no emotion as the verdict was read by court clerk Sammi Benson, but someone in the gallery let out a loud, but short scream. Sentencing was set for November 29, with Murray facing up to four years in prison on the conviction. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ordered Murray to be held without bail until that date, and Murray was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.

"This is not a crime involving a mistake of judgment. ... This was a crime where the end result was the death of a human being," Pastor said in explaining his decision to remand Murray to police custody. "That factor demonstrates rather dramatically that the public should be protected." Murray served as Jackson's personal physician as Jackson prepared for his comeback concerts, with Murray giving him the surgical anesthetic propofol to help him sleep nearly every night for the last two months of his life, according to testimony.

Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, was caused by "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with two sedatives, the Los Angeles County coroner ruled. The verdict followed about nine hours of jury deliberations, which began Friday morning in the downtown Los Angeles County courthouse. Fans gathered outside of the courthouse ahead of the verdict with signs of support for Jackson including one banner that read, "We miss Michael." The crowd began celebrating once word of the guilty verdict reached them, chanting "Rest in peace." Passing cars honked their horns.

The seven men and five women on the jury heard 49 witnesses over 23 days, including Murray's girlfriends and patients, Jackson's former employees, investigators and medical experts for each side. The prosecution, in closing arguments on Thursday, argued that Murray was responsible for Jackson's death because his reckless use of propofol to treat the pop icon's insomnia in his home was criminally negligent.

Defense lawyers contended the matter was a negligence case that should instead be heard by the state medical board. "If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?" lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff asked in his closing. Jurors were left to decide if the propofol overdose was infused into Jackson's blood by a steady intravenous drip, as the prosecution contended, or if Jackson injected himself using a syringe left nearby by Murray, as the defense argued.

"He was just a little fish in a big, dirty pond," Chernoff said, pointing the finger at other doctors who treated Jackson, and Jackson himself. Deputy District Attorney David Walgren attacked the defense for trying to blame "everybody but Conrad Murray, poor Conrad Murray." "If allowed more time to argue, I am sure they would find a way to blame Michael's son, Prince," Walgren said in his closing rebuttal. Walgren painted Murray as a selfish doctor who agreed to take $150,000 a month to give Jackson nightly infusions of propofol in his home, something prosecutors argued an ethical doctor would never do because of the dangers.

Copyright CNN 2011

[Fleet]

I've been watching it since about 11:00 AM (pacific time).
My guess was guilty of involuntary manslaughter and that was the verdict.

[Janice]

I agree with the verdict, but I think he should do more prison time than four years, if he even does that. MJ counted on his private doctor to keep him safe, not to kill him. It's crazy that the doctor got his hands on those kinds of drugs. That's what anesthesiologists use to put patients under for surgery.

I'm prescribed pain killers which are Schedule 2 narcotics. It's such a big deal. I had to sign a "Pain Contract" with my doctor, indicating that I cannot divert (sell) or give any away, take too many, etc. I have to submit to random urine tests which is really to determine that I'm taking them. I have to use the same pharmacy all the time. If I ever lost the bottle, I would have to file a police report.

I went off topic there, but really just to show what a huge deal it is to get narcotics. Doctor or not, Murray had to do some fancy footwork to get that level of drugs on a regular basis. It was just so cold of him to kill Michael. He didn't know what he was doing, but he was slowing giving Michael an overdose. I recommend the CD, This is It. It shows MJ rehearsing for the concert that was never to be. So very sad. I cried like a baby watching it. I feel so bad for his children. Michael needed help, not a hand in his death.

[Family Ties Forever!]

^I agree. I think that Dr. Murray should serve more time than the maximum 4 years. I think it's terrible how so many people suffer with pain because of the DEA pressure that is placed on doctors. Yet with Murray he somehow managed to get powerful medication. I'm guessing the money he was receiving from Michael Jackson was too tempting to pass up. The sad thing is that Murray's greed for money led him to cross over the ethical and moral boundaries of his profession. He will have to live with the choice he maide which unfortunately caused Jackson's death.

[sunshinefizzy]

He dug his own grave while he helped dig Michael's. That's all I'm saying.

[JamesG]

Dr. Conrad Murray Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison For Michael Jackson's Death
11/29/2011
by Michael O'Connell


Following his November conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the death of patient Michael Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray was sentenced Tuesday morning to four years in prison.

His defense had made a case for probation, while the prosecution asked for four years -- the maximum sentence -- and more than $100 million in restitution.



Judge Michael Pastor ordered Murray to pay restitution, though he acknowledged that the prosecution's figure was unlikely, with Murray having no real way to raise the funds.

Murray also has to pay almost $1000 in fines and fees for his conviction.







Seemingly throwing the book at Murray, Judge Pastor peppered his sentencing with acknowledgements of the doctor's unethical use of propofol in treating Jackson -- and that his behavior after Jackson's death did not help the matter.

"Dr. Murray engaged in a recurring, continuous pattern of deceit and lies," said Judge Pastor. "There are those who feel Dr. Murray is a saint. There are those who feel he's the devil. He is neither. He's a human being."



A Jackson family attorney read a statement before the sentencing, "We respectfully request you impose a sentence that reminds physicians they cannot sell their services to the highest bidder," he said.

California law means that Murray will serve his time at a Los Angeles County Jail, where he is expected to only serve half of his four-year sentence.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...n-death-267090

[Janice]

I keep hearing that he'll wind up doing two years. The important thing is that he lost his license to practice. He's not fit to work on animals. Terrible disregard for human life.

[Family Ties Forever!]

That is good that his medical license was taken away. Two years doesn't seem long enough ,but at least he will serve some time.

[angiefan]

he got 4 years,his attorneys wanted probation,i wanted for him to get life in prison and his doctor's license to be taken away.

[comedyfreak]

It looked bad for him from the beginning of the trial, he came off as a quack who shouldn't be allowed to prescribe asprin to anyone.

[Furienna]

Originally Posted by Janice

I recommend the CD, This is It. It shows MJ rehearsing for the concert that was never to be.

My sister and I had tickets to one of those concerts.

I wonder if I'll ever stop missing Michael.