news: Michael Jackson Supporters Celebrate At L.A. Court

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Michael Jackson Supporters Celebrate At L.A. Court

Conrad Murray had his allies there too: 'They don't bring up drug dealers on trial when people die from overdosing,' one person tells MTV News.
By Matt Elias

Fans cheer after Conrad Murray is pronounced guilty of involuntary manslaughter
Photo: Frederic J. Brown/ AFP

LOS ANGELES — Even before the verdict was announced in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the growing crowd outside the courtroom already began voicing their opinions about the potential outcome. Chants of "Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!" were met with signs supporting Michael Jackson's former physician.

Once the verdict was officially announced, that Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, MJ's fans erupted, appearing to outnumber Murray's supporters by a large number.

In the moments following the announcement, supporters of Murray, fans of the King of Pop and general passersby weighed in on the verdict.

"I don't necessarily think it's fair that they found him guilty, because apparently Michael Jackson did have a drug habit, and I think if he wouldn't have given Michael the drugs, he would have got them from someone else," Lafonda Baker told MTV News. "I think that definitely his [medical] license should be taken away and he shouldn't be able to practice anymore, but I don't think he should be going to jail for that."

"I think that he was guilty of being a drug dealer, if anything," Jay Ellison added. "Michael was an addict, much like she said: If he didn't get it from [Murray], he would have gotten it from someone else, and we would have seen this trial with somebody else getting the [guilty] verdict. I just think it is what it is. This whole thing to me is crazy, because if it wasn't [Jackson], I know people who are hooked on prescription drugs [and] the doctors who write those prescriptions for them don't get brought up on trial for manslaughter if [their patients] die. They don't bring up drug dealers on trial when people die from overdosing. It's just crazy to me, but because it's Mike, you've got all the hype."

"Michael Jackson is loved by so many people, us especially," Baker said. "But we can still look at it and see that it's not really right."

"I believe he is guilty on some level," Renee Simmons said. "He gave [Jackson] a lethal dose [of propofol]. He should be responsible and should pay consequences for that. But I believe that there are so many others around him and that it's just a really sad story, because the list goes on of how many people are involved in that, and I think when you're paying somebody that much money, it might mess with your judgment a bit. I know there are nurses around him, employees, there are numerous people around him that are responsible, so I do hope that there is going to be justice for everyone."

Gregory Son, who attended the announcement of the verdict with a large sign in support of the prosecution and Jackson's family, was especially enthusiastic about the guilty verdict.

"Praise God, hallelujah! The truth will prevail, as it always does, and justice for Michael's family, justice for his fans, justice for the truth and justice for the justice system," he said. "God bless the great state of California and these lawyers; these lawyers did a great job."

MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray case live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Jackson tonight at 9 p.m ET/PT when VH1 presents the World Broadcast premiere of "Michael Jackson's This Is It."

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