Lawyers in the Conrad Murray manslaughter trial will take today off from court to prepare their closing arguments. Prosecutors briefly recalled their anesthesiology expert, Dr. Steven Shafer, for a rebuttal to defense propofol expert Dr. Paul White before resting their case Tuesday morning.
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor told White outside the jury’s presence to stop intentionally mentioning information gathered in private conversations he had with Murray. The witness had suggested his opinions were partially based on what Murray told him, but those talks are not in evidence. But by the end of the morning, the judge said White had violated his order.
Outside the jury’s presence, the judge chastised White for telling the jurors at one point: “I’d like to talk to you about this but the judge told me I couldn’t.” Pastor said he considered that remark direct contempt of court but would allow White to explain at a contempt hearing on Nov. 16 before he imposes the $1,000 fine.
Murray announced in court Tuesday that he will not take the stand, pausing to look at each of his lawyers for several seconds before telling the judge, “My decision is that I will not testify in this matter.” His decision to remain silent ended the defense case in the trial, setting the stage for closing arguments on Thursday.
During the six-week trial, the end of testimony was emotional for dozens of the singer’s fans who converged at the Los Angeles County courthouse. A fan was removed from the courthouse after yelling “Murderer, Murderer” at Murray as he walked down the hallway during a recess Tuesday. Fans also surrounded and yelled at defense anesthesiology expert Dr. Paul White as he waited for a cab on a courthouse sidewalk. Others lined both sides of the hallway and held hands as members of Jackson’s family walked past.
Prosecutors contend Murray is responsible for Jackson’s death, even if he did not give him the final and fatal dose, because he was reckless in using the surgical anesthetic to help Jackson sleep without proper precautions. Murray, 58, has pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and lose his medical license.
