After nearly five months of testimony, much of it focused on the mental and physical health of one of the world’s most celebrated entertainers, the Michael Jackson wrongful death case moved closer to a verdict Monday as the judge read her instructions to jurors.
The Jackson family’s attorneys will give their closing arguments Tuesday, followed the next day by lawyers for concert producer and promoter AEG. On Thursday, the Jacksons’ lawyers will do their rebuttal.
After that, the case will be in the hands of the jurors.
Because of the expected media crush, final arguments have been moved to a much larger courtroom, one that holds more than 300 people. The courtroom where the trial played out holds about 50 people, and at one point the fire marshal forced the court to reduce the number of spectators.
Jurors are being asked to decide whether AEG, which was promoting what was to be Jackson’s 2009 comeback concerts, is responsible for the singer’s death.
Jackson’s mother and three children sued the entertainment firm, saying it negligently hired Conrad Murray, the Las Vegas doctor who administered a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to help Jackson sleep. At the time, Jackson was rehearsing for a 50-concert engagement in London, possibly to be followed by a worldwide tour.
Source: LATimes / MJ-Upbeat.com
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