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    November 07, 2011

Jackson's Doctor Convicted in Singer's Death

   VOA News
   Dr. Conrad Murray, Nov. 3, 2011
   Photo: AP
   Dr. Conrad Murray, Nov. 3, 2011

   A jury in Los Angeles, California has convicted Dr. Conrad Murray of
   involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of pop singer Michael
   Jackson.
   The 12-member jury reached the guilty verdict Monday after less than
   two days of deliberations. The trial lasted several weeks, with nearly
   50 witnesses being called to the stand. Hundreds of people, many of
   them fans of the late entertainer, lined up outside the court as the
   verdict was announced and cheered the decision. Murray sat stone-faced
   as he heard the decision.
   A short time later, Murray was handcuffed and taken into custody
   without bail until sentencing on November 29. Murray appeared calm as
   he was led out of the courtroom.
   Murray faced the involuntary manslaughter charge for giving Jackson the
   powerful anesthetic, propofol, to help him sleep and then failing to
   properly monitor the singer's health. Prosecutors said Murray lacked
   the equipment that could have saved the singer's life.
   A series of witnesses said propofol should only be used in the
   operating room, under strict monitoring. The drug was not approved for
   use as a sleep aid.
   The defense argued that Jackson took the propofol himself and
   overdosed. Murray's lawyers said there was no proof the doctor did
   anything wrong. Murray did not take the stand in his defense.
   Murray, a cardiologist, faces a sentence of four years in prison and
   the loss of his medical license.
   Jackson died June 25, 2009 at his rented Los Angeles mansion. He was
   50-years-old.
   Aside from the criminal trial, Jackson's father has filed a wrongful
   death suit that accuses Murray of lying to the doctors and paramedics
   who tried to save the singer's life.

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