Timeline: The Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray
The trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician charged with involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, is now under way in Los Angeles. Murray is accused of negligence in his care of the pop star, who he was treating in the run-up to a series of comeback concerts that were to be held in London, and is being held accountable for the singer's death from an overdose of the sedative propofol.
Here's a timeline of Murray's relationship with the King of Pop, from their first meeting in 2006 through the latest developments in his trial.
By Matthew Perpetua
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2006
Murray strikes up a friendship with Jackson after treating one of the singer's children in Las Vegas.
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May 2009
At Jackson's request, Murray is hired by AEG Live to be his personal physician in the run-up to his This Is It concert series in London.
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June 2009
Jackson begins rehearsals for his This Is It comeback gigs. The footage of the rehearsals is later edited into a documentary by choreographer Kenny Ortega.
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June 2009
Murray begins giving Jackson the sedative propofol as a sleep aid.
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June 25th, 2009
Jackson dies from an overdose of sedatives, including propofol. Murray reportedly finds Jackson's body but has drugs cleared from the scene by the singer's bodyguards before contacting paramedics.
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July 26th, 2009
Police begin an investigation of Murray's connection to Jackson's death.
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September 2nd, 2009
Jackson's death is ruled a homicide by the Los Angeles coroner. Toxicology results report that his death was caused by "acute propofol intoxication."
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September 3rd, 2009
Michael Jackson's funeral service is held in Los Angeles.
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February 8th, 2010
Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. He is released on $75,000 bail. Murray is allowed to continue practicing medicine, but is banned form administering anaesthetic agents.
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June 25th, 2010
Jackson's father Joe files a wrongful death suit against Murray in Los Angeles.
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January 4th, 2011
Preliminary hearings begin to decide whether Dr. Murray will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter.
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January 11th, 2011
Dr. Murray is ordered to stand trial. Murray officially pleads not guilty to the charges on January 25th.
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March 25th, 2011
The trial is delayed as the court has difficulty finding jurors unfamiliar with Jackson and the case. (Pictured: Judge Michael E. Pastor, who has presided over every aspect of the case.)
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September 27th, 2011
After several delays, Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial begins in Los Angeles.
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October 12, 2011
The defense team for Dr. Murray drops their claim that Jackson self-administered a fatal dosage of propofol.
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October 21st, 2011
Dr. Steven Shafer, an expert on the drug propofol, testifies that the defense's theory that Jackson self-injected a lethal dose of the sedative is a "crazy scenario." "People don't wake up hellbent to give themselves another dose," he told the jury.
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October 28th, 2011
Dr. Robert Waldman testifies that Jackson, who received 900 milligrams of Demerol over three days in May 2009 from dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, likely suffered withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia, which the singer attempted to treat with the sedative propofol.
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November 1st, 2011
Conrad Murray decides not to testify in his own defense. "My decision is I will not testify in this matter," he told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor after being asked if he understood that only he could decide whether he wanted to testify before the jury.
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November 7th, 2011
Conrad Murray is found guilty of involuntary manslaughter by the jury after nine hours of deliberation.