If there is anyone who has not been blamed for the death of Michael Jackson, I don't know who it would be. AEG, Jackson's booking company was on trial for 'overworking' the star and , thus, leading to his death. Like it was their idea that he needed to use drugs.

The jury returned their verdict today in that trial.

After a five-month trial, the MICHAEL JACKSONwrongful death case has come to a close.

Yesterday, the jury ruled that AEG Live was NOT liable for Michael's death, and therefore didn't owe the Jackson family MANY millions of dollars in compensation.

The jury found that even though AEG hired DR. CONRAD MURRAY . . . they decided Murray was "competent."

The jury foreman later said, quote, "That doesn't mean we felt [Dr. Murray] was ethical.   Had that question been in there, it could have been a different outcome."

For the record, AEG denied hiring Murray, but in the jury's ruling, they said they believed AEG DID hire him.

The Jackson family had argued that AEG was "pressing" Michael into doing the "This Is It" tour, and had hired Murray to get him through it . . . even though he was unfit to treat Michael.

But AEG's legal team insisted Michael had chosen Murray, and that they had no way of knowing that he would be a risk to Michael . . . since he was licensed in four states, and had never been sued for malpractice.

They argued that Michael was a closet drug addict, who'd been using propofol . . . the drug that caused his death . . . long before he started being treated by Murray.

In his closing statement, AEG's attorney said, quote, "AEG would have never agreed to finance this tour if they knew Mr. Jackson was playing Russian roulette in his bedroom every night."

Michael's mother KATHERINE JACKSON claimed at least a partial victory.  She said, quote, "AEG hired Dr. Conrad Murray, the man who is in jail for killing Michael Jackson.  AEG has denied for years, and continues to deny, that they hired Dr. Conrad Murray.  The jury found unanimously that AEG hired Dr. Murray."

I guess she missed the part about Michael being a drug user well before Dr. Murray was on the scene. Agreeing that AEG hired Murray and $7.50 will get you a mixed drink. Not what I'd call even a micro-partial victory.

 

 

In 2011, Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for causing Michael's death.  He was sentenced to four years in prison . . . but he's expected be released sometime this month, two years early.

 

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