Conrad Murray, convicted in Michael Jackson death, jailed immediately

Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal physician, was found guilty Monday of involuntary manslaughter for administering a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to the King of Pop in 2009.

A jury of seven men and five women reached their verdict after deliberating nearly 10 hours on Friday and Monday at the Los Angeles County Courthouse.

Dr. Murray, a cardiologist in Las Vegas and Houston, stared blankly ahead and showed no emotion as the court clerk read the verdict on the single charged count: “guilty.”

Almost immediately, cheers and applause erupted within the throng of fans who had stood vigil on the sidewalk outside the courthouse as the jury deliberated. A large banner read: “We Miss Michael.”

In contrast, the courtroom remained quiet and subdued.

Deputy District Attorney David Walgren asked Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor to immediately order that Murray be taken into custody and held without bond pending his sentencing.

“This is not a crime involving a mistake of judgment,” Judge Pastor said in weighing the request. “This is a crime where the end result was the death of a human being. That factor demonstrates fairly dramatically that the public should be protected.”

Defense attorney Edward Chernoff argued that Murray should remain free on bail pending his sentencing.

The judge noted that Murray had no prior criminal record and that he had appeared for all prior court dates while free on bail. But the judge added Murray had out-of-state connections.

“I don’t know if Dr. Murray would make those appearances in the future since he is now a convicted criminal,” Pastor said. “Dr. Murray’s reckless conduct in this case poses a risk to the public even though he is a medical doctor,” the judge added. “I conclude that remand is appropriate.”

As the judge spoke, a sheriff’s deputy began fastening handcuffs to Murray’s wrists while he sat at the defense table flanked by his lawyers.

Pastor set sentencing for Nov. 29. Then Murray was whisked through a side door to a holding cell.

Murray faces up to four years in prison and loss of his medical license.

Members of Jackson’s family appeared relieved as they emerged from the courthouse. “Justice was served,” Jackson’s brother Jermaine told an HLN correspondent.

Jackson’s sister LaToya commented that she felt her brother’s spirit in the courtroom. “He was in that courtroom. That is why victory was served,” she said.

At a press conference, Mr. Walgren, the deputy D.A., told reporters that his sympathies were with the Jackson family and the loss they had suffered. He said the Jacksons had lost “not a pop icon, but a son and a brother.”

In 22 trial days spanning five weeks, the jurors heard conflicting accounts from medical experts about what may have happened in the final hours of Jackson’s life.

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