Jury clears promoter of liability in Michael Jackson's death
Updated: 2013-10-04 10:52
(Agencies)
|
||||||||
MURRAY WAS 'COMPETENT'
In explaining the verdict outside court, jury foreman Gregg Barden said jurors had concluded that Murray was competent for the job he was hired to do.
"We felt he was competent to do the job of general practitioner," said Barden, who works for the Los Angeles Unified School District. "Now that doesn't mean that we thought he was ethical, and maybe had the word ethical been in the question, it could have been a different outcome."
Juror Kevin Smith, 61, who works for Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, added: "If AEG had known what was going on behind closed doors it would probably have made a world of difference, but they didn't."
Murray, who was caring for Jackson as the singer rehearsed for his series of 50 comeback "This Is It" concerts, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for administering the propofol that killed the star. He is in a California prison and is expected to be released later this month.
Jackson family lawyer Kevin Boyle said outside court that attorneys and the family were "of course not happy" with Wednesday's verdict.
"We will be exploring all options, legally and factually," Boyle said.
Jackson fan Julia Thomas, who has been at the courthouse every day for the past five months, said she thought the jurors did not properly understand the second question on the verdict form, which asked if Murray was "unfit or incompetent to perform the work for which he was hired."
"Most of us are shocked," Thomas said. "It's almost like a dream. I think the question went way over their heads. I think it was a trick question."
Related:
Michael Jackson's ex-wife says daughter Paris is 'devastated' |
Michael Jackson's teen daughter attempts suicide - mother
Michael Jackson's ex-wife says doctors took advantage of singer
Artists pay tribute to MJ at 'Michael Forever'
- Victoria Beckham S/S 2014 presented during NYFW
- 'Despicable' minions upset Depp's 'Lone Ranger' at box office
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Xi visits Indonesia, Malaysia, attends APEC Summit |
National Day holidays around the world |
News in review (Sept. 27- Oct.3) |
Investing a nation's wealth wisely |
Foul air rises over landfill expansion |
From China
|
Today's Top News
US hints Iran could get some sanctions relief
Twitter unveils IPO filing, aims to raise $1 b
Hundreds dead as boat sinks off Italy
Gunfire forces brief lockdown at US Capitol
NY driver's wife says in danger
Call for new 'maritime silk road'
Shutdown in third day
Plane crash kills 15 in Nigeria
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |