Verdict Reached in Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial

Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson

Dr. Conrad Murray was taken into custody after he was found guilty in the death of pop star Michael Jackson.

Jurors announced they had reached a verdict Monday morning. The seven-man, five-woman jury deliberated for one full day Friday and part of the day Monday before reaching a decision in a trial that included 22 days of testimony from nearly 50 witnesses.

During closing arguments, prosecutors repeated a claim they made throughout the trial -- Murray abandoned his superstar patient and had his own interests in mind when he administered a powerful surgical sedative in Jackson's rented Holmby Hills mansion. Prosecutors called on medical experts, Jackson's staff members and organizers of a series of concerts planned for London in an attempt to prove Murray committed critical errors that led to the death of the King of Pop.

"The evidence in this case is overwhelming," said Deputy District Attorney David Walgren during his closing argument. "It is abundantly clear that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson."

Before closing arguments began, Judge Michael Pastor explained what jurors must consider. Prosecutors allege that Murray engaged in a lawful practice by giving propofol to Jackson but acted in a criminally negligent way by using the drug as an insomnia treatment without the presence of proper staff or medical equipment.

The defense argued that Jackson, in a quest for sleep, is to blame for his own death. Murray was not aware that Jackson ingested the drug lorazepam and self-administered propofol, creating a "perfect storm" of drugs in his system, defense attorneys argued. They called on former Murray patients to characterize the doctor as a caring man who was not guided by financial gain.

"Based on what Dr. Murray did, there is no danger to Michael Jackson," attorney Ed Chenoff said during closing arguments, attempting to show that Jackson put himself in danger.

Dr. Murray faces up to four years in prison and loss of his medical license. His sentencing is scheduled in three weeks.
 

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