Murray found guilty of Jackson involuntary manslaughter
Michael Jackson’s personal physician Dr Conrad Murray was convicted tonight of the involuntary manslaughter of the star.
Murray gave the King of Pop a fatal overdose of the dangerous anaesthetic propofol, jurors ruled.
Following a six-week trial, a jury of seven men and five women took eight-and-a-half hours to reach a unanimous verdict.
A crowd erupted in cheers outside the Los Angeles courthouse after the verdict.
Inside the courtroom, there was a shriek, though it was not clear who was responsible.
Murray sat stone-faced and showed little reaction.
The judge polled the jury, and each juror answered “yes” when asked whether their verdict was guilty. The judge thanked the jury for their work.
Los Angeles Superior Court heard that Murray gave the powerful sedative to the singer to help him overcome his chronic insomnia, but prosecutors said the use of the drug as a sleeping aid violated standards of care.
The court was told the “inept” 58-year-old doctor caused the star’s death through negligence, depriving Jackson’s children of their father.
Murray, who was due to be paid around $240,000 (€174,322) a month for his role, acted in a criminally negligent way by using propofol as an insomnia treatment without the proper staff or medical equipment, the court was told.
Prosecutors said that he botched resuscitation efforts and lied to other medical personnel about his actions.
Murray’s defence lawyers claimed Jackson self-administered the dose when the doctor left the room.
