Jurors in Los Angeles have begun deliberations in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson’s personal physician.
The seven-man, five-woman panel began discussing the case this morning.
The jury heard spirited closing arguments by prosecutors and defence lawyers yesterday.
Prosecutor David Walgren urged them group to convict Dr Conrad Murray, arguing the Houston-based cardiologist was reckless with Jackson’s life and left his children without a father.
Defence lawyer Ed Chernoff argued prosecutors had not proved their case and were trying to convict Dr Murray for the actions of Jackson.
Dr Murray faces a possible sentence ranging from probation to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical licence if convicted.
Media were camped outside the courthouse and in the courtroom where the jury’s decision will eventually be read.
There was no sign of Dr Murray or lawyers handling the case, but they will receive a two-hour notice when a verdict is reached.
Dr Murray waived the need for his presence if the panel asks any questions, but must be present when a verdict is reached.
Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anaesthetic propofol; Dr Murray has acknowledged giving Jackson propofol to help him sleep.
The real reason Jackson died, Mr Chernoff argued, was because he craved the powerful anaesthetic so much that he gave himself a fatal injection when Dr Murray left his bedside.
“They want you to convict Dr Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson,” he said.
But Mr Walgren told jurors in his closing speech: “Poor Conrad Murray”.
He added: “Michael Jackson is dead. And we have to hear about poor Conrad Murray and no doctor knows what it’s like to be in his shoes.”
Mr Walgren noted that several doctors who testified – including two who were called by Dr Murray’s lawyers - said they would have never given the singer anaesthesia in his bedroom.
Dr Murray is solely to blame for Jackson’s death, Mr Walgren argued, saying Dr Murray had bought more than four gallons of propofol to administer to Jackson and had been giving him nightly doses to help him sleep.
Mr Walgren repeatedly described Dr Murray’s treatments on Jackson as unusual and called his actions on the day of the singer’s death - including not calling police and not mentioning his propofol doses to paramedics or other doctors - “bizarre.”
Dr Murray was essentially experimenting on Jackson, Mr Walgren said. Dr Murray should have known Jackson might die from the treatments, yet he lacked the proper life-saving and monitoring equipment.
“What is unusual and unpredictable is that Michael Jackson lived as long as he did under the care of Conrad Murray in this situation,” Mr Walgren said.
The prosecutor repeatedly invoked the singer’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, and said Dr Murray’s actions left them without a father.
The children, who range in ages from nine to 14, were not present, but Jackson’s parents and several of his siblings attended closing arguments.
The Houston-based cardiologist’s fate will be decided by jurors, who heard from 49 witnesses and have more than 300 pieces of evidence to consider.
They were given lengthy instructions about how to deliberate and interpret the case.
If Dr Murray is convicted, he faces a sentence that ranges from probation to four years behind bars, and he would lose his medical licence.
The sentence will be decided by superior court judge Michael Pastor and not the jury; the judge will receive input from lawyers for both sides and probation officials if necessary.
A recent change in California law means that Dr Murray (58) might serve any sentence in a county jail rather than a state prison.
If acquitted, Dr Murray would be free from criminal prosecution, but will probably be pursued by medical licensing authorities in the states of California, Nevada and Texas.
To convict Dr Murray, jurors will have to determine the cardiologist was substantially responsible for Jackson’s death.
Despite days of scientific testimony about what happened in Jackson’s bedroom from experts for Dr Murray and the prosecution, Mr Walgren acknowledged that some things about the events in the King of Pop’s bedroom that led to his death will never be known.
“The people won’t prove exactly what happened behind those closed doors,” he said. “Michael Jackson could give answers, but he is dead.”
AP