Dr. Conrad Murray, 58, has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter for his role in the highly-publicized drug-overdose death of the legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, 50, as reported by the San Francisco Gate and dozens of other publications.
An appeal is expected to be filed almost immediately by Murray's defense attorney, Ed Chernoff.
Murray allegedly supplied Jackson with an extremely powerful anesthetic so that Jackson could get the sleep and rest he required as the singer prepared for a comeback tour.
Murray now faces up to four years in prison and must relinquish his medical license.
Murray appeared emotionless while being handcuffed and taken to jail. His sentencing is scheduled for November 29.
Jackson, slipping from his king of pop throne decades ago amidst claims of child molestations – coupled with further years of questionable behavior in his child rearing and over-the-top shopping sprees – was scheduled to star in several concerts that not only promised to remove him from debt, but to remove him from the negative light that had shown so brightly on his stalled career.
That career shut down completely with his unexpected death in 2009.
After the verdict was read in court Jackson's mother, Katherine, through tears said, "I feel fetter now."
The public that had been waiting outside of the courtroom broke out into cheers at learning of the conclusion that they had hoped for.
Chernoff said that he was let down with the outcome of the trial. Of his client's response to the verdict, Chernoff said, "He's a pretty strong guy."
During the trial, lasting six weeks, jurors heard that Jackson's problem with insomnia was the only thing that plagued him from showing the strength and stage presence he was known for.
Prosecutors contended that Murray's alleged use of the anesthetic propofol on the star illustrated the doctor's incompetence. Propofol, they stated, was only to be used during surgical procedures and not in a home ill fitted with the necessary safeguard measures in place.
Expert witnesses for the prosecution allegedly stated that though it isn't illegal to administer propofol in a home setting, it was just not the standard of medical care to do so without having life saving equipment – in case of an emergency – available.
Chernoff stated that his client told police that he was only responsible for administering a small dose of propofol before Jackson died, and, that Jackson himself must have given himself the overdose – unbeknownst to Murray.
Prosecutors then said that even if that idea were true, Murray should not have left his patient alone.
Murray allegedly administered the propofol every night when Jackson returned from his rehearsals – six weeks worth – before he tried cutting back on Jackson's doses.
Murray feared that his patient was becoming addicted.
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