Jackson doctor remanded without bail after guilty verdict

Dr Conrad Murray has tonight been remanded in custody with no bail until the date of sentencing, after being found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson.

The jury delivered their verdict at the Los Angeles County courthouse today, after just 10 hours of deliberation, following a six-week trial.

Dr Murray had pleaded not guilty to causing Jackson’s death on the morning of June 25 2009 by giving him the anesthetic Propofol as a sleeping aid.

The courtroom was hushed ahead of the verdict, as Superior Court judge Michael Pastor took to the stand just after 1pm local time (9pm Irish time).

He called the jury to deliver their verdict, which he checked then passed to the court clerk, who read it out.

The clerk said: “Superior court of California, Los Angeles County, the people of the state of California plaintiff versus Conrad Robert Murray, defendant.

“We the jury in the above mentioned actions, find the defendant guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter.”

Each juror was then asked to confirm their verdict individually.

Dr Murray sat stony faced, silent and unmoving while the decision was read out.

Judge Pastor then thanked and dismissed the jury, and set the date for sentencing as November 29.

On his reasoning for this, Judge Pastor said: “Public safety demands that he is remanded. With no bail in the interim he is to be kept in the care and custody of the Los Angeles county Sherriff’s office.”

Outside the courthouse, fans and supporters of both Dr Murray and Jackson lined the streets outside, many holding placards.

Upon the delivery of the verdict, fans of Jackson could be heard chanting “lock him up”, and “throw away the key”.

Watching the verdict in court were members of Michael’s family, including the later ‘Thriller’ star’s father, Joe Jackson and mother Katherine.

Upon arriving to the court at midday local time Joe was asked how he felt, replying to E! news: “Not too good”.

Jackson’s sister, La Toya, arrived a little later with Kathy and Rick Hilton, parents of socialite and reality TV star Paris Hilton.