No $1.5 Billion Damage for Death of Michael Jackson as Family Loses Wrongful Lawsuit vs AEG Live (VIDEOS)
Katherine, Prince, Paris and Blanket Jackson are not getting richer by another $1.5 billion after the jury issued its verdict on the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Mrs Jackson against concert producer AEG Live.
Besides clearing AEG of culpability for the 2010 death of Michael, the Los Angeles jury also confirmed that AEG hired Dr Conrad Murray, the cardiologist who gave the singer propofol, but said the doctor was neither unfit nor incompetent to treat Jackson.
"I'm OK," was all that Mrs Jackson could utter when she moved out of the courtroom defeated. The verdict against the King of Pop's family could be attributed to Michael's history of addiction and wrong decisions when it comes to his healthcare.
Explaining why the jury confirmed that AEG hired Dr Murray, juror Kevin Smith said, "Michael Jackson was a big star. He wanted this doctor and if anyone said no they were out of the mix," quoted ABC.
He said that if AEG Live executives were aware that the cardiologist was giving Michael propofol to sleep, they would probably have cancelled the This Is It concert tour of Jackson in London.
That point of view was the final argument of AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam who said "AEG would have never agreed to finance this tour if they knew Mr Jackson was playing Russian roulette in his bedroom every night."
Dr Murray, who was convicted by another court in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter, is scheduled to be released from prison in the later part of October 2013.
The Jacksons initially wanted damages in the amount of $40.2 billion for the lost income from Michael's death at the age of 50. AEG found the claim a ridiculous amount, and the Jacksons reduced it to $1.5 billion, but on Thursday, they went home with nothing.
Although they lost the lawsuit, the Jacksons are far from the poor house since they are supported by the late superstar's estate, providing them a comfortable lifestyle. Debts of Michael had also been erased with the launch of new projects and release of new music from the King of Pop.
Kevin Boyle, lawyer of the Jacksons, said the family was disappointed by the verdict and are considering further legal options. However, he pointed out that Prince, Paris and Blanket went through a lot of stress with the trials and this fact must be taken into considering for the family to decide if they would still pursue further legal action.