Michael Jackson Eulogist Says Guilty Verdict is ‘Down Payment of Justice’
By Hazel Trice Edney
(TriceEdneyWire.com) - It’s over. The lengthy involuntary manslaughter trial in the case of King of Pop Michael Jackson ended this week with a guilty verdict for his personal doctor, Conrad Murray and “mixed emotions” from Jackson loved ones.
Reverend Al Sharpton, close friend of the Jackson family, and eulogist at Michael Jackson’s funeral said in a statement, “ I received the news of the guilty verdict in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray with mixed emotions feeling that only a down payment of justice has been served.”
Murray purchased and administered the powerful anesthetic propofol which Jackson craved to help him fall asleep. Murray was accused of giving the star an overdose of the drug and taking too long to respond after Jackson stopped breathing June 25, 2009.
The dramatic trial, which lasted more than a month, featured a string of Murray’s girlfriends who spoke of how he called them on the day Jackson died, supporting patients who spoke of his compassion and care, anesthesiologists as other expert witnesses.
Murray could serve as much as four years in prison for the death of Michael Jackson. However, speculation has it that with overcrowding in the Los Angeles penal system, he could serve out his time in a house arrest or a less likely probation.
The star-studded Jackson family expressed relief at the verdict for Murray, some crying.
"He was in that courtroom and that's why victory was served," Jackson's sister La Toya told CNN News as she left the courthouse.
"I'm just happy it's over with. Nothing will bring him back, but I'm just happy (Murray) was found guilty," said another sister, Rebe. Jackson's mother, Katherine, remained silent after the verdict was read, quietly wiping away tears.
In a statement issued on Saturday before Monday’s verdict, Jackson’s father, Joseph Jackson, issued a statement describing the saga as “one of the darkest moments of our lives.”
He wrote, “We miss Michael endlessly, our pain cannot be described in words. But Michael would not want us to give up now. So we want to thank all of his faithful supporters and loyal fans worldwide, you – who Michael loved so much. Please do not despair, because Michael will continue to live on in each and every one of you. Continue to spread his message, because that is what he would want you to do. Carry on, so his legacy will live forever.”
Crowds of fans outside the courthouse cheered at the news of Monday’s verdict.
Sharpton’s statement concluded:
“Certainly I feel that more punishment could and should have been served but I am pleased that this jury didn’t blame Michael for his own death,” said Sharpton’s brief statement. “For the Jackson family, particularly his mother and children that have gone this horrific ordeal, to hear a verdict that buried Michael again would have been devastating. I am happy that they didn’t have to suffer that indignity. I feel that Dr. Murray and others who benefited from Michael but didn’t protect him got off relatively lightly. Michael lost his life and we lost one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived. I lost a friend and will never forget him.”