The involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray has finally come to an end. On Nov. 7, after two days of deliberation, jurors found Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop icon Michael Jackson.
According to CBS News, the jurors, consisting of seven men and five women, deliberated for nine hours over the course of two days, considering testimony from 49 witnesses and 300 pieces of evidence, before deciding that the cardiologist was criminally responsible for Jackson’s death.
“This is a crime where the end result is the death of Michael Jackson,” Judge Michael Pastor told the courtroom. “He showed criminal negligence in this case.”
Jackson died on June 25, 2009, from a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol, which Murray admitted administering to the King of Pop.
Over the past six weeks, prosecutors have contended that Murray egregiously neglected medical protocol and gave Jackson the fatal dose in the bedroom of his California mansion. The defense, however, has argued that Jackson self-injected the fatal dose of propofol, unbeknown to Murray.
After the announcement of the verdict, Murray, who sat stoic as he learned his fate, was handcuffed and taken into custody by the Los Angeles Sherriff’s Department. He was remanded without bail pending sentencing.
As the verdict was read, the courtroom was filled with emotion as several people in the room erupted with applause. But the greatest reaction felt was that of the Jackson clan — including mother Katherine Jackson, father Joe Jackson and siblings La Toya Jackson, Randy Jackson and Rebbie Jackson — who were overcome with emotion.
As the guilty verdict was handed down, Katharine pulled out a tissue and began to weep as Randy proceeded to rub his mother’s shoulders. And La Toya, perhaps displaying the biggest reaction, let out a shriek in the courtroom.
According to RadarOnline, once outside of the courtroom, Katharine told them that “she is very happy with the verdict.”
The Jackson siblings also shared their joy over the verdict, with Jermaine telling HLN, “Justice was served,” and his sister Rebbie saying, “Thank you so much. I’m just happy that it’s over with, not that it will bring him back, but I’m happy [Murray] was found guilty.”
La Toya echoed her sibling’s sentiments, adding, “Michael loves everybody out here,” and said she felt the presence of her brother. “He was in that courtroom and that’s why victory was served.”
Murray will face sentencing on Nov. 29 and could be sentenced to anything from probation to four years in prison. Murray will lose his medical license, though. However, due a recent change in California law, Murray might serve his sentence in a county jail as opposed to state prison. –nicholas robinson
