THE SEVEN MEN and five women who comprise the jury in the trial of Dr Conrad Murray for the involuntary manslaughter of pop star Michael Jackson begin their deliberations on the verdict today.
Murray faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical licence if convicted. He denies the charges.
The prosecution claims that Murray administered the final fatal dose of the powerful anaesthetic propofol to Jackson. In his final address to the jury, prosecutor David Walgren noted that several doctors had testified, including two called by the defence, that they would not have administered the drug in the singer’s bedroom.
Walgren accused Murray of effectively experimenting on Jackson and claimed he lacked the proper monitoring equipment.
Murray’s defence team argued that although the doctor had given Jackson the drug to treat his sleep problems, the singer injected himself with that last dose when Murray left the room.
Five of Murray’s former patients testified in his defence at the trial, praising the treatment they received from him and saying they did not believe the charges brought against him.
Over 300 pieces of evidence, including images of Jackson at hospital taken after his death, were submitted to the trial and the court heard from 49 witnesses.
- Additional reporting by the AP
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