Michael Jackson fans cheered and his family members hailed as a triumph the verdict that found Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the singer’s death.
The Thriller singer died in June 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol, which Murray, his personal physician, administered to Jackson as a sleep aid.
Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and elder sister Rebbie cried silently as the guilty verdict was read.
PHOTO: AFP
As she left the courtroom, Katherine was asked by reporters if she was pleased and her answer was simply: “I am.”
“Justice was served. Michael is with us,” his brother, Jermaine, told reporters.
Other family members, including father Joe Jackson and siblings La Toya and Randy were whisked away from the court building in cars and did not talk to the media.
However, on Twitter, La Toya posted: “VICTORY!!!!!!” and later tweeted: “Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice!”
Murray faces up to four years in jail when he is sentenced on Nov. 29.
Prosecutors said they were “gratified” at the outcome.
“We finally want to extend our sympathies to the Jackson family — especially to Prince, Paris and Blanket. They have lost a beloved father. Nothing can make up for that loss,” Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley said.
Asked by reporters if he was disappointed, Murray’s attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, told reporters: “Of course,” but the defense did not make a statement.
Jackson’s friends weighed in, too.
Civil rights activist Al Sharpton released a statement saying he had “mixed emotions” that Murray wasn’t given greater punishment, but “was pleased that this jury didn’t blame Michael for his own death.”
The six-week trial took place without much of the media hype and fan attention surrounding Jackson’s 2005 trial on charges of child molestation, but by the time the verdict was handed down on Monday afternoon, about 100 fans had gathered outside the Los Angeles courthouse and cheered the verdict.
Some fans shouted: “Thank you judge,” and passersby honked their car horns as others sang and danced to Jackson’s songs, such as Beat It and the old Jackson Five hit ABC.
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