A Los Angeles jury has started deliberating the fate of Michael Jackson's doctor after hearing six weeks of evidence.The seven men and five women have heard from 49 witnesses, including Doctor Conrad Murray's patients and girlfriends past and present, medical experts and former employees of the king of pop.
Prosecutor Davis Walgren told the jury on Thursday that is "abundantly clear" that the physician caused Michael's death. "For Michael's children, this case will go on forever, because they do not have a father," he said, adding: "Conrad Murray is criminally liable. Justice demands a guilty verdict. "Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life. He trusted him with his own life and with the future lives of his children. "Conrad Murray corrupted that relationship and because of that, Michael Jackson paid with his life." Meanwhile defence lawyer Ed Chernoff argued no crime was committed. "For a crime to be proved, the prosecution has to show that Dr Murray actually killed Michael Jackson," he told the jury. "They want you to convict Dr Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson. If it were anybody else but Michael Jackson, would this doctor be here today?" he asked. "There is a tremendous desire to paint Dr Murray as the villain. They want to paint this perfect villain and this perfect victim. But there is not perfect villain and no perfect victim," he said.
"He was just a little fish in a big dirty pond." Michael died from a fatal dose of the surgical anesthetic propofol. The jury must decide if the overdose was infused into the singer's blood by a steady IV drip – as the prosecution contends – or if Michael injected himself using a syringe left nearby by Doctor Murray, as the defence argues. The physician – who did not testify at the trial – faces up to four years in prison, and the loss of his medical licence, if he is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.He has pleaded not guilty.