Diane Alter (AHN)–On Monday, a jury seven men and five women, after a six week trial that featured 49 witnesses and 330 pieces of evidence, found Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
Murray, a 58-year-old Granada born cardiologist had treated Jackson for years and singer died under his care on June 25, 2009.
The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson died of “acute propofol intoxication,” and that sedatives were also a factor.
During the 22 day trail, prosecutors depicted Dr. Murray as a reckless physician who abandoned Jackson while he was under the effects of the potent anesthetic propofol. Attorneys for the Houston based cardiologist countered that Jackson was addicted to the drug and self administered the fatal dose when Murray left the room.
Prosecutors had contended that Murray was criminally liable for Jackson’s death because he recklessly administered the propofol to the star and was negligent in properly monitoring Jackson.
During closing arguments Thursday, prosecutor David Walgren told the jurors that they are to decide whether Murray “acted with gross negligence or criminal negligence in his treatment of the Michael Jackson and constituted a “substantial factor in the star’s death.”
A verdict was expected and highly anticipated Friday, but an agreement was not reached among jurors and the deliberations spilled into Monday.
The verdict was read just before 4:30 p.m. EST Monday. The judge praised the jurors and alternate jurors for their time and efforts.
Crowds of fans and supporters of Jackson and his family anxiously waited outside the court house and cheered upon hearing the results.