[video] Conrad Murray Found Guilty in Death of Michael Jackson

Conrad Murray Found Guilty in Death of Michael Jackson: MyFoxDETROIT.com

Conrad Murray Found Guilty in Death of Michael Jackson Murray ordered held without bail until sentencing. Updated: Monday, 07 Nov 2011, 7:42 PM EST

Posted by: myFOXla.com Web Staff

Los Angeles - Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter today for the pop superstar's June 25, 2009, death from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol. Murray, who faces up to four years in prison, remained stone-faced as the verdict was announced, showing no visible reaction. He was taken into custody at the conclusion of the hearing, and he will remain jailed until his sentencing on Nov. 29.

The seven-man, five-women jury deliberated for about eight and a half hours before reaching a verdict. When the verdict was announced, some cries of "yes" could be heard from the courtroom audience.

Jackson's parent's, Katherine and Joe, were among those in the audience, along with his brother Jermaine and sister LaToya.

"We are gratified the jury saw the overwhelming evidence in this case ... that Dr. Murray is guilty of involuntary manslaughter," District Attorney Steve Cooley said.

He later added, "Finally, we want to extend our personal sympathies to the Jackson family, especially to (Jackson's children) Prince, Paris and Blanket."

Defense attorneys had no immediate comment after the verdict.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, the lead prosecutor on the case, also extended sympathies to the Jackson family, noting that they lost "not a pop icon, but a son and a brother."

The jury heard from 49 witnesses -- 33 for the prosecution and 16 for the defense -- during the trial, in which testimony began Sept. 27 and ended Tuesday. Jurors heard nearly a full day of closing arguments Thursday from attorneys from both sides and deliberated for a full day Friday.

In his closing argument, Walgren told the panel that the evidence "is abundantly clear that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father," Walgren said, referring to the singer's three children. "They do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray."

Prosecutors said Murray gave the singer an intravenous fatal dose of propofol on June 25, 2009, then "abandoned" his patient by talking on the phone and looking at emails instead of monitoring him.

The 58-year-old cardiologist demonstrated "consciousness of guilt" by failing to tell paramedics and emergency room doctors that he had given the singer propofol and only told police about the drug two days later because he thought investigators had already found the medication at the singer's home, Walgren said.

Murray told police he only left Jackson's side for about two minutes to use the bathroom after giving the singer a 25-milligram dose of propofol that was slowly infused over three to five minutes beginning at about 10:40 a.m., in the bedroom of Jackson's rented home, where he was staying while rehearsing for a series of 50 concerts in London dubbed "This Is It."

Murray's lead attorney, Edward Chernoff, argued that the most reasonable explanation for Jackson's death was that the singer self-administered the fatal dose of propofol. He added that the evidence supported Murray's statement to police that he gave Jackson a 25-milligram dose of propofol.

"What they're really asking you to do is convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson," Chernoff told jurors in his closing argument.

He acknowledged that Murray may not have done everything right on the day the 50-year-old Jackson died but reminded jurors that the trial had not been a medical board hearing or about a civil lawsuit but rather about a man's liberty.

"If you're going to hold Dr. Murray responsible, don't do it because it's Michael Jackson," he said. "I hope you do the right thing and find Dr. Murray not guilty."

Chernoff argued in court today that Murray should be allowed to remain free on bail pending his sentencing hearing, saying he was not a flight risk and had "family obligations that he has to take care of."

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said, however, that Murray was convicted of a crime "where the end result was the death of a human being." He said Murray's "reckless conduct in this case" proved that he was a risk to public safety.

Outside the courthouse, Michael Jackson fans cheered when the guilty verdict was announced. Several people waved signs that said "guilty," "Justice for Michael Jackson" and "4 years is not enough for a life." Others held up copies of Jackson's albums.

After court was adjourned, members of the Jackson family hugged prosecutors. In the courtroom hallway, Jermaine Jackson hugged some fans amid cheering.