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Murray's Defense Attorney Tells CBS2 He 'Wasn't Surprised' By Verdict

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Conrad Murray's defense attorney, Ed Chernoff, is speaking exclusively to CBS2 after losing the Michael Jackson death case.

"I can't say I was surprised. I mean, look, it was a tough case," the Houston-based attorney says.

Chernoff says his client held out hope that he would be exonerated until the very end.

"Dr. Murray turned to me and said, 'I have faith.' I said, 'Faith in God is one thing, Dr. Murray, faith in human beings is a whole different ball game.'"

Chernoff, who calls the trial "disgraceful," had a number of complaints about dealing with the California legal system. He was also upset Murray was handcuffed as Judge Michael Pastor was still giving post-trial instructions.

"I thought it was bad taste. I told him it was going to happen. The whole thing's a show."

He also dismisses rumors that Murray is currently on suicide watch in jail.

"Oh, I think that's overblown. He's a man of faith. He's not going to commit suicide."

Chernoff also took a shot at Jackson's family and the celebrity-feel of the trial, which had so-called red carpet arrivals.

"The celebrity – if you want to call them celebrities, I suppose you could – it had a reality show atmosphere," he says.

From the pandemonium outside the courthouse, the people taunting him, he says he felt like he lost a football game.

"Yeah, it was quite an experience. It's nice to be back in Texas," he says.

Chernoff will have to return to Southern California for Murray's sentencing. He says he has no idea what to expect; it could be just probation or the maximum sentence of four years in prison.

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