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Murray Guilty Verdict: Justice Is Served, Says Jackson Family [UPDATED]
Dr. Conrad Murray (AP Photo/Irfan Khan, File)
Following the announcement of a guilty verdict in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the family of Michael Jackson have issued a statement to express their delight in the jury's decision to hold Murray responsible for involuntary manslaughter. TMZ reports that Jackson's parents, Joseph and Katherine, said the following:
"We have been waiting for this moment for a very long time and we couldn’t hold back tears of joy in the courtroom. Even though nothing can bring back our son, justice has finally been served!"
Even before the verdict was read, many Jackson supporters gathered outside the court building and spoke to the media present regarding the case and their expectation the jury would find Murray guilty. Described by one reported as "still in mourning," for the King of Pop who died nearly two and a half years ago, Jackson loyalists are seeing Murray's conviction as appropriate justice, too.
District Attorney Steve Cooley, joined by Deputy District Attorneys David Walgren, Deborah Brazil and others on the trial team, spoke to the press shortly after the verdict was read. In addition to lauding the prosecutors' team and expressing gratitude for the jurors' "hard work and thoughtful deliberation," Cooley also spoke of Jackson's family: “We finally want to extend our sympathies to the Jackson family - especially to Prince, Paris and Blanket. They have lost a beloved father. Nothing can make up for that loss.”
Jackson's parents echoed Cooley's sentiments, saying: "We can’t wait to go home and share this day with Michael’s children.”
UPDATE 3:27 PM: The Los Angeles Police Department have issued the following statement regarding the verdict:
The Los Angeles Police Department is pleased with today’s verdict of guilty in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray. The investigators have worked diligently on this case and were confident throughout the process that the investigation supported the allegation of Involuntary Manslaughter. Today’s verdict of guilty is confirmation that the combined efforts of our investigators, criminalists, Coroner investigators and the District Attorney’s Office were sound. While today’s verdict of guilty represents a victory in the eyes of law enforcement and the judicial system, we also recognize that many lives have been affected by the death of Michael Jackson. The Los Angeles Police Department has never lost sight of the fact that Michael Jackson was a father, a brother and a son, and that his death will forever have an impact upon the Jackson family, friends and fans.
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