UPDATE 3 p.m.: "If you're going to hold Dr. Murray responsible, don't do it because it's Michael Jackson," Chernoff told the jury in conclusion. "This isn't a reality show, this is reality. This affects real human beings. I hope you find Dr. Murray not guilty. Thank you." Walgren planned to start his rebuttal argument at 3:25 p.m.
UPDATE 1:50 p.m.: To begin his closing argument, defense attorney Ed Chernoff stated that the prosecution "absolutely failed to prove a crime...Prosecutors tried to crate a drip that never existed. They wont tell you what they really want. They want you to convict Dr. Murray for the actions of Michael Jackson."
UPDATE 12:30 p.m.: Court breaks for lunch. Defense will give its closing arguments at 1:40 p.m.
UPDATE 12:20 p.m.: Walgren concluded his closing argument by stating: "Even if you accept the defense version of the facts, Conrad Murray is guilty of involuntary manslaughter. I ask that you return with a verdict of guilty because Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson. He abandoned Michael Jackson. Conrad Murray gave him propofol. Justice demands a guilty verdict."
Of the defense's star witness, Walgren said: "What Dr. [Paul] White came in and did was sad for science and sad for truth-
seeking." The theory that Jackson died after self-administering propofol died is "junk science," the prosecutor said.
UPDATE 11:53 a.m.: Walgren states how it was self-preservation that caused Murray to not call 911 right away or mention propofol to the paramedics. "Conrad Murray had other things on his mind," said Walgren. "To protect Conrad Murray. Conrad Murray knew what he had done, and he knew his acts killed Michael Jackson."
UPDATE 11:26 a.m.: Walgren tells the jury that even if they buy the defense's claim that Jackson self-administered the propofol, Murray is still criminally negligent and still "criminally liable" for providing the drugs to Jackson.
UPDATE 11:07 a.m.: Walgren states that the evidence is "overwhelming" and "abundantly clear" that "Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson" and left his children "without a father," adding that "a doctor has a duty to his patient...a doctor has a solemn obligation to do no harm to their patient. Conrad Murray violated that sacred trust each and every day."
UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: Deputy District Attorney David Walgren begins his closing argument.
UPDATE 940 a.m.: Judge Pastor wraps his jury instructions and calls for a 15-minute break.
UPDATE 9:20 a.m: Judge Pastor gives the jury instructions, stating that in order for the jury to prove Dr. Conrad Murray is guilty, the people must not only prove that he committed an unlawful act, but acted with criminal negligence and that his act caused the death of Michael Jackson. The judge emphasized that criminal negligence involves more than ordinary carelessness, inattention or mistake in judgment.
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The end is near.
Closing arguments begin today in the involuntary manslaughter case against Dr. Conrad Murray, who is accused of causing Michael Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, by administering an overdose of propofol—a surgical-grade anesthetic—and then failing to properly monitor Jackson afterward.
After the prosecution and defense have offered their respective statements, L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will give the jury their instructions and leave the case in their hands.
Though it was touch and go at times, Murray ultimately opted not to take the stand himself, the defense instead resting following testimony from anesthesiologist Dr. Paul White, who testified that Jackson could have injected himself with that fatal dose—a version of events the prosecution shot down once again by recalling Dr. Steven Shafer as a rebuttal witness.
As always, we are livestreaming today's proceedings for the duration.