Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial Goes To Jury

Lawyers reiterate their cases in closing arguments before jury deliberations begin Friday.
By Gil Kaufman and Kara Warner


Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Pool/ Getty Images

Following 22 days of testimony from 49 witnesses, the closing arguments were presented Thursday (November 3) in the involuntary manslaughter trial of former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray.

Nearly six weeks after he kicked off the trial with a headline-grabbing image of an emaciated Jackson on a gurney following his death in June 2009, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren was first up with his closing argument. Walgren told jurors the evidence in the case was overwhelming and Murray's actions directly led to Jackson's death from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol.

"The evidence in this case is abundantly clear ... that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father," Walgren said of the late pop singer's three children. The DA reminded jurors that a number of medical experts called to the stand by both prosecutors and the defense said physicians had a legal and ethical obligation to deny a patient's request to provide medical treatment that could end up harming them.

Returning to an argument the prosecution had made all along about Murray's alleged motives for giving chronic insomniac the anesthetic, Walgren said, "Conrad Murray sought payment for services rendered, the services rendered being the provision of propofol. ... Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. But Conrad Murray corrupted that relationship, and for that, Michael Jackson paid with his life."

Walgren said the evidence against Murray was "overwhelming," stating that his guilt in the matter is "abundantly clear" and that testimony from defense anesthesiology expert Dr. Paul White that blamed Jackson for giving himself fatal doses of several drugs was "junk science."

The prosecutor also reminded jurors about how they heard that Murray was speaking to one of his ex-girlfriends, cocktail waitress Sade Anding, when he realized Jackson had stopped breathing, proof that the physician was not properly monitoring the singer's health.

"Was Conrad Murray in another room? Did Michael Jackson yell out for help? Did he gasp?" Walgren asked. "Did he choke? Were there sounds? We don't know, and we'll never know because of the neglect and negligence of Conrad Murray."

Then it was defense attorney Ed Chernoff's turn to present his closing argument, which included a detailed breakdown of the prosecution's key witnesses and why their collective testimony "can't prove [Murray committed] a crime, and they really need to prove a crime," Chernoff told the jury.

Chernoff first attempted to discredit the testimony of Michael Jackson's bodyguard Alberto Alvarez. He said it didn't make sense that Murray would ask Alvarez to hide evidence since the two barely knew each other and that none of his fingerprints were found on the allegedly hidden evidence. The defense then went after the L.A. County coroner's investigator for not taking proper notes and photos, as well as not providing a proper chronology. Chernoff emphasized that out of the evidence discovered in Jackson's bedroom, none of the tubing found had propofol in it. Chernoff also accused prosecution expert Dr. Shafer of having a biased agenda and that his simulations had nothing to do with the case.

Chernoff told the jury there are two reasonable scenarios for Jackson's death and that is the reason they should acquit. "What the [prosecution] is really asking you to do is convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson. Somebody has got to tell the truth. If it were anyone else other than Michael Jackson, would the doctor be here today?" he asked, reminding them that Murray's other patients valued and appreciated the doctor's care. Chernoff claimed Murray only wanted to help Jackson. "He was a little fish in a big dirty pond," he said.

Furthermore, Chernoff defended Murray not immediately calling 911 because he was trying to save Jackson's life and that his attempts at CPR did not work. Chernoff cautioned the jury that there is a tremendous desire to paint Murray as the perfect villain, but that there is "no perfect villain or perfect victim." Chernoff agreed that administering propofol in a home setting may be inappropriate but emphasized the fact that Murray never gave Jackson any illegal drugs or substances. He also asked that the jury not hold Murray responsible just because the victim was Michael Jackson.

Prosecutor Walgren then took over to present the final closing arguments in the case. He reiterated that if Murray had used the proper monitoring devices or administered proper resuscitation or had not left the room, Jackson's death "wouldn't have happened."

"We cannot prove exactly what happened behind closed doors," Walgren said. "Michael Jackson could give answers, but he's dead."

Walgren reminded the jury that they know Jackson died from acute propofol intoxication and that Murray had plenty of opportunities to prevent it.

"Actions speak far louder than words," he said. "At the end of the day, the issue is not that complicated. Murray was conducting a pharmaceutical experiment in a bedroom. I ask you return with a verdict of guilty on the count of involuntary manslaughter based on his actions alone."

Judge Michael Pastor earlier instructed jurors that they had two theories they could rely on to find Murray guilty: If they believe he committed an illegal act by providing the propofol to Jackson in a negligent way, or if they believe he failed to perform his legal duty as a doctor by acting in a reckless manner that created a high risk of death.

The seven-man, five-woman jury has to unanimously agree on one or the other theory. In addition to considering the testimony of medical experts who have divergent opinions on the level of care provided by Murray, Pastor asked the jury to weigh the testimony of character witnesses who attested to the physician's generosity when weighing the verdict.

The judge's instructions were given in a standing-room-only courtroom that included several members of Jackson's family, including his parents and siblings LaToya and Randy.

Jury deliberation will begin Friday and, if convicted, Murray could face four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1673737/michael-jackson-conrad-murray-trial-jury.jhtml

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Chris Brown, Beyonce Lead Soul Train Award Nods

Kanye West, Kelly Rowland and Adele also nab multiple nominations for November 27 show.
By Jocelyn Vena


Chris Brown
Photo: Steve Granitz / Getty Images

Chris Brown is up for the most nominations at the Soul Train Awards with five nods. Following closely behind are "Party" and "Lift Off" collaborators Beyoncé and Kanye West with five nominations each. Also making a strong showing in the nominations are Kelly Rowland and Adele, who nabbed three nods apiece.

Brown is up for Best Male R&B/Soul Artist against Trey Songz, Cee Lo Green, R. Kelly, Eric Benet and Miguel, as well as Album of the Year and Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year ("Look at Me Now"), where he faces off against West ("All of the Lights"), Nicki Minaj ("Moment for Life"), Lupe Fiasco ("Out of My Head") and Jay-Z and Kanye West ("Otis").

West landed two more nods for Song of the Year ("All of the Lights") as well as Album of the Year for My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, alongside Trey Songz ( Passion Pain & Pleasure), Adele (21), Chris Brown (F.A.M.E.), Jill Scott (Light of the Sun), Beyoncé (4) and his joint LP with Jay-Z ( Watch The Throne).

Beyoncé also landed nominations in Record of the Year ("Best Thing I Never Had"), Best Dance Performance ("Run the World (Girls)") and Best Female R&B/Soul Artist. Fellow former Destiny's Child member Kelly Rowland is also nominated.

The show tapes November 17 in Atlanta and will premiere on CENTRIC and BET on November 27. Cedric "The Entertainer" has been tapped to host, and Jill Scott, Mindless Behavior, Robin Thicke, Lloyd, Miguel, Melanie Fiona and Keith Sweat will be among the performers taking the stage.

Complete Soul Train Awards nominations:

Best New Artist
» Bruno Mars
» Marsha Ambrosius
» Miguel
» Frank Ocean

Best Male R&B/Soul Artist
» Trey Songz
» Chris Brown
» Cee Lo Green
» R. Kelly
» Eric Benet
» Miguel

Centric Award
» Ledisi
» Raphael Saddiq
» Bilal
» Anthony David
» Aloe Blacc

Best Caribbean Performance
» "Bend Over" - Machel Montano
» "Man Down" - Rihanna
» "Delilah" - Movado
» "Wotless" - Kes The Band
» "Summertime" - Vybz Kartel

Best Gospel Performance
» "I Smile" - Kirk Franklin
» "Walking" - Mary Mary
» "Heaven Hear My Heart" - Trin-I-Tee 5:7
» "I Believe" - James Fortune feat. Shawn McLemore
» "More" - Cece Winans

Album of the Year
» Passion Pain & Pleasure - Trey Songz
» 21 - Adele
» F.A.M.E. - Chris Brown
» Light of the Sun - Jill Scott
» 4 - Beyoncé » Watch the Throne - Jay Z/Kanye West

Best Hip-Hop Song of the Year
» Moment for Life - Nicki Minaj
» All of the Lights - Kanye West
» Look at Me Now - Chris Brown (featuring Busta Rhymes and Lil Wayne)
» Out of My Head - Lupe Fiasco
» Otis - Jay Z/Kanye West

Best Female R&B/Soul Artist
» Kelly Rowland
» Beyoncé
» Marsha Ambrosius
» Jennifer Hudson
» Jill Scott
» Mary J. Blige

Song of the Year
» "So In Love" - Jill Scott (featuring Anthony Hamilton)
» "Motivation" - Kelly Rowland (featuring Lil Wayne)
» "Sure Thing" - Miguel
» "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
» "She Ain't You" - Chris Brown
» "All of the Lights" - Kanye West

Record of the Year (The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award)
» "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele
» "Far Away" - Marsha Ambrosius
» "Best Thing I Never Had" - Beyoncé
» "Good Man" - Raphael Saddiq
» "Hold My Hand" (duet with Akon) - Michael Jackson

Best Dance Performance
» "Motivation" - Kelly Rowland
» "Only Girl in the World"/"What's My Name" - Rihanna
» "Run the World (Girls)" - Beyoncé
» "She Ain't You" - Chris Brown
» "Walking" - Mary Mary
» "Pretty Girl Rock" - Keri Hilson

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1672938/soul-train-awards-nominations.jhtml

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Michael Jackson Gave Himself Propofol, Expert Testifies

Final defense witness says Dr. Conrad Murray's care was substandard, but not involuntary manslaughter.
By Gil Kaufman


Propofol expert Dr. Paul White testifies in court Friday
Photo: Getty Images

The final day of testimony in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's former doctor, Conrad Murray, was devoted to a defense witness who has reportedly pieced together a new explanation for how the King of Pop died. And if Dr. Paul White can convince the jury that Murray gave substandard care but that it didn't rise to the level of involuntary manslaughter, he could turn the tide for the beleaguered defense team.

The Witness
» Dr. Paul White, propofol expert

Key Testimony
» Anesthesiologist White readily admitted to defense attorneys Thursday that Murray's decision to dose Jackson with the surgical anesthetic propofol and then leave the room was not proper medical procedure. Returning to the stand Friday (October 28), he testified that he believes the singer killed himself by self-injecting a fatal dose of propofol. According to CBS News, White testified that he can't find proof to support the prosecution theory that Jackson's doctor was giving Jackson an infusion of the drug through an IV before the King of Pop's demise. He said that theory isn't supported by evidence found at the scene or in Murray's statements to police.

» White said the evidence found in the bedroom of Jackson's rented L.A. mansion is more consistent with him receiving an injection of the anesthetic. Earlier, prosecution witness Dr. Steven Shafer told jurors he believed Murray used an IV drop of propofol, which was the only way to explain the high levels of the drug found in Jackson's body.

» White also testified that Jackson could have swallowed up to eight tablets of the sedative Lorazepam on the morning of June 25, 2009, when he died. The Los Angeles Coroner's office determined that Jackson died of an overdose of propofol, with Lorazepam playing a contributing role.

» Cross-examination of White will take place Monday, which will give prosecutors time to review a new defense analysis of samples taken during Jackson's autopsy. Murray is not expected to take the stand in his defense.

Murray, who was being paid $150,000 a month to care for Jackson, has pleaded not guilty to the felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and is now facing four years in prison. But new sentencing laws in California aimed at mandatorily reducing state prison overcrowding mean that, as a nonviolent offender with no prior record, he could be sentenced to county jail instead. If that is the case, his sentence could be reduced to two years and, because of overcrowding in the Los Angeles County jail, he may be allowed to serve the majority of his time under supervised house arrest.

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