Michael Jackson Death Trial Goes to Jury Friday
After nearly two months, the trial of Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's former doctor, is drawing to a close.
Summing up their cases after testimony from 49 witnesses, both the prosecution and the defense made their closing arguments Thursday, each argument more impassioned than the last.
Prosecutor David Walgren, who made an entrance at the beginning of the case by presenting a photo of a withered, emaciated Jackson on his deathbed, argued that Murray was nothing but an opportunist who thought of his own needs over Jackson's.
He pointed toward the evidence that made it "abundantly clear" that Murray's actions killed Jackson. That Murray used a surgical anesthetic in a domestic setting as well as made a call to his girlfriend at the crucial moment only emphasizes the point that he was reckless, he said.
"Was Conrad Murray in another room? Did Michael Jackson yell out for help? Did he gasp? Did he choke? Were there sounds? We don't know, and we'll never know because of the neglect and negligence of Conrad Murray," Walgren asked the jury.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff broke down the testimonies of the prosecution's key witnesses for his final argument. He challenged the statements of Alberto Alvarez, Jackson's bodyguard at the time, asking why Murray would ask Alvarez to hide the medical equipment when they didn't have a personal relationship? Chernoff went on to discredit the Los Angeles County coroner's investigator for improper handling of the evidence.
"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?" the defense asked, noting that among his patients, Murray was known as a solid and dependable health care provider.
Jury deliberations are set to begin on Friday and if found guilty, Murray could face four years of jail time as well as the invalidation of his medical license.