A jury consisting of six men and six women determines that AEG Live executives are not liable in the death of the 'You Are Not Alone' singer.
- Oct 3, 2013
AceShowbiz - A jury decided on Wednesday, October 2 that Michael Jackson's concert promoter AEG Live was not liable in the death of the singer. Jackson's mother Katherine previously alleged that the promoter contributed to her son's death by hiring Dr. Conrad Murray who was unfit for his work. The jury determined that AEG Live did hire Murray but the doctor was not unfit or incompetent to do his job.
"The jury's decision completely vindicates AEG Live, confirming what we have known from the start - that although Michael Jackson's death was a terrible tragedy, it was not a tragedy of AEG Live's making," AEG Live's attorney, Marvin Putnam, said as quoted by E! News after the verdict was read.
"There was simply no evidence that anyone at AEG did anything wrong. The win was a great victory for [AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips] in particular, who was personally sued by the Jacksons," Putnam added. Philips and Paul Gongaware were dismissed as defendants in September, leaving the company as the only defendant.
Phillips released a statement after the verdict was reached. "I counted Michael Jackson a creative partner and a friend," he said. "We lost one of the world's greatest musical geniuses, but I am relieved and deeply grateful that the jury recognized that neither I, nor anyone else at AEG Live, played any part in Michael's tragic death."
Taj Jackson, who was appointed as a co-guardian for the singer's children Prince Jackson, Paris Jackson and Prince Michael II a.k.a. Blanket, tweeted, "Thank you guys for all your support. Unfortunately there will be no closure for my family #bigmoneywinsagain AEG." Katherine was not available for comment.
Jackson passed away in 2009 because of Propofol overdose. Following the singer's death, Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the drug which killed Jackson. Murray is currently serving his jail time.
