The verdict is in, Conrad Murray was convicted GUILTY today of involuntary manslaughter in the drug overdose death of pop singer, Michael Jackson. The jury deliberated for two days. From USA Today:
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor handed the case to the seven-man, five-woman jury Thursday after closing arguments by prosecutor David Walgren and lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff. Over nearly six weeks of testimony, jurors heard from 33 prosecution witnesses and 16 defense witnesses. More than 340 exhibits were available in the jury room as the panel mulled a verdict.
Jackson, 50, died on June 25, 2009, of an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, aggravated by effects of the sedative lorazepam. Murray, 58, was charged with a single count of involuntary manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty.
Murray faces a sentence that ranges from probation to a maximum of four years in prison. He also faces possible loss of his medical licenses in California, Nevada, Texas and Hawaii.
The judge, not the jury, will decide Murray’s sentence. A recent change in state law means Murray could serve his time, if any, in a Los Angeles County facility rather than a state penitentiary.
So there you go. Another high profile case has come to a conclusion. Can’t say I’m surprised by the verdict. If you read what went on at the Jackson house the morning of Michael’s death–the fact that Murray waited to call 911 should be enough to put him away for awhile.
