Conrad Murray Says He Cried When He Heard Verdict In Jackson Wrongful Death Trial
BRENTWOOD (CBSLA.com) — Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death, is speaking out one day after a jury cleared AEG Live of wrongdoing in the pop star's demise.
After an 80-day trial, the six man, six woman jury rejected legal claims filed by the late singer's mother, Katherine Jackson, that the concert promoting giant acted negligently by hiring Murray to care for the singer as he prepared for his ill-fated "This Is It" comeback concert series and was thus liable for Jackson's death.
Murray's attorney, Valerie Wass, said her client watched the verdict unfold on television inside his cell in the Men's Central Jail.
"It caused him, basically, to drop on his knees. He was overcome with emotion," she said. "He looked at me. I asked him how he was, and he looked down, and we both started crying. It was a very emotional moment."
Murray, who is scheduled to be released from jail at the end of the month, spoke to NBC's "Today Show" via phone.
"I cried because, for once, the world was allowed to hear some of the facts as it pertained to this matter," he said.
Meantime, the Jackson family's lead attorney, Brian Panish, wasn't in the courtroom Wednesday.
"I was actually having a surgical procedure on my leg," he said.
Panish said he was in court in the morning, but decided to go ahead with the surgery when there appeared to be no verdict in sight.
"After I was out of anesthesia, and got ready in recovery, I found out what happened. I was disappointed that I couldn't be there to speak with the jurors. We were disappointed in the result, but I wanted to thank the jurors," he said.
Panish said the Jackson family is considering an appeal.
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