Jury: Conrad Murray guilty of killing Jackson

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles jury Monday found Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop star Michael Jackson.

The verdict came after 8 1/2 hours of deliberation, following a six-week trial.

Murray faces as much as four years in prison when he is sentenced Nov. 29. Murray, who had been free on bail throughout his trial, was remanded to the custody of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department until sentencing.

The doctor was accused of causing the singer's 2009 death by giving him anesthesia and sedatives to help him sleep, and then failing to come to his aid when he was in distress. The cardiologist also has been criticized for not having emergency equipment on hand or keeping records of his treatment of the recording artist.

Murray denied any wrongdoing and his legal team suggested during the trial Jackson may have administered the fatal doses of drugs to himself when the doctor was briefly out of the room.

Jackson's brothers Jermaine and Randy, sister LaToya, and parents Katherine and Joe were in the courtroom when the verdict was read. Thousands of the late singer's fans cheered outside the courthouse as the decision was announced.