The closing arguments have begun in the wrongful death case against AEG Live, the entertainment conglomerate that promoted and produced what was to be the ‘This Is It’ shows Michael Jackson was preparing to play at the time of his death.
Much of the testimony over the last five months has focused on Jackson’s drug use, physical, mental, and emotional state and apprehension over his comeback shows.
Attorneys for the Jackson family were allotted four hours today with which to present their closing arguments. Attorneys for AEG Live will get a chance to present their defense tomorrow, also within a four hour window, then on Thursday, the Jackson family attorney, with whom the burden of proof lies, gets to speak a second time.
A lawyer for the Jackson family explained to jurors today that AEG Live was negligent for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray, stating the company failed to properly investigate Murray’s background, in a rush to get the concerts underway. Murray was convicted of giving Jackson an overdose of propofol, which led to his death.
The Jackson family is expected to ask for $1 billion, stating experts have testified as to the possible money Michael Jackson stood to earn when he died at the age of 50.
The central issue of the case is: did Michael Jackson or AEG Live hire Dr. Conrad Murray? Nine of the 12 jurors must agree one way or the other and they all have the responsibility of figuring that out and delivering a verdict.
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Source: HuffingtonPost
