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Showbiz Tonight
Special Live Edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: The Verdict in the Michael Jackson Death Trial
Aired November 07, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Conrad Robert Murray, guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Big news breaking on a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- the dramatic end to the Michael Jackson death trial.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is right there as Dr. Conrad Murray is hauled away in handcuffs. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- did the jury get it right?
More SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Flashpoints tonight -- should the judge throw the book at Murray when he is sentenced? What the Jackson family is saying tonight. Was the trial worth it for them?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERMAINE JACKSON, BROTHER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: Justice was served, yes.
REBBIE JACKSON, SISTER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: Nothing will bring him back, but I`m happy he was found guilty.
LATOYA JACKSON, SISTER OF MICHAEL JACKSON: Michael loves everybody out here. I love him. We all love him. And guess what? He was in that courtroom and that is why victory was served.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: But what about Michael`s kids? Will this finally bring them some peace? And the startling claim that Michael Jackson would not have wanted Conrad Murray to go on trial.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
Hello, I`m A.J. Hammer in New York, and this is a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. And the verdict -- guilty as charged.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you all of the tough questions and the emotional reaction to the conviction today of Dr. Conrad Murray, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, found guilty of causing the death of Michael Jackson.
Found guilty of causing the death of one of the greatest pop stars of all time. And it all happened because Michael Jackson desperately needed something so he could sleep.
Dr. Conrad Murray provided that something -- propofol. And that`s what led to Michael Jackson`s death. It seems almost unbelievable now that it is all over.
Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the team that has been bringing you the non-stop coverage of the trial right here on HLN, day in, day out, and all night long.
With me tonight from right near the courthouse in Los Angeles, HLN`s Jane Velez-Mitchell, the host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL." Also, in Los Angeles tonight, Dr. Drew, host of "THE DR. DREW SHOW" here on HLN.
Vinnie Politan is also with us tonight. Vinnie, the host, of course, of "HLN SPECIAL REPORT" and "PRIME NEWS."
Wow, what a dramatic moment when Dr. Murray was found guilty. And here is how it all played out live on HLN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Conrad Robert Murray, guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The reaction that he sat there stone-faced, minutes later, humiliated and shaken. He was cuffed and led out of the courtroom after the judge refused to let him out on bail.
What a fall for the man who was once the personal physician of the biggest pop star on the planet. Here is our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Flashpoint, did the jury get it right? Jane?
JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HOST, "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL": I think that they did. They absolutely got it right. Dr. Conrad Murray exhibited many, many gross deviations from the standard medical care, but I don`t think it is enough.
I think that, now, we have to go after the other doctors. There was testimony -- testimony in this case that Michael Jackson got Demerol, a serious mood-altering drug for Botox and Restylane.
Then, there was evidence that came forward and claims in the course of this case that other doctors had given him propofol. We need to go after everybody who was prescribing and dispensing illegitimately.
HAMMER: I do think it is far from over. Vinnie, let me go to you on this because, quite frankly, we didn`t know which way this was going to go.
We were all loath to make predictions. We were sitting on the edges of our seat, just like anybody else. In your mind, to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, did the jury get it right?
VINNIE POLITAN, HOST, "HLN SPECIAL REPORT" AND "PRIME NEWS": Well, I`m almost obligated to say the jury always gets it right. But I don`t believe they always do get it right.
I think they did here. I know it`s difficult. Conrad Murray didn`t intend to happen what happened. But that`s not what he was charged with. He was charged with extreme gross negligence.
And if there ever was a case, A.J., my goodness. The things that he did and the things he didn`t do were outrageous. And all of it, afterwards, he lied about. To me, that was the telltale sign this jury took the fact that this man lied about what happened and held it against him.
I think that is crucial, key, and shows consciousness of guilt on the part of Conrad Murray.
HAMMER: And to Jane`s point, right after the verdict was read, it seemed to me the prosecutors were all set to haul some more doctors in the court.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there as they sent out a warning to all of the other Dr. Murrays who may be out there, the Hollywood doctors who skirt the rules to treat their addicted patients. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STEVE COOLEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, LOS ANGELES COUNTY: The strong and powerful message that this sort of conduct does rise to the level of criminal negligence. And to the extent that someone dies as a result of them playing the role of Dr. Feel Good, they will be held accountable.
This particular town, Los Angeles, we see many examples of high-profile people succumbing, giving up their lives because of their addiction to prescribed medications. And they are oftentimes aided and abetted by unscrupulous and corrupt doctors. So a fair warning to them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Dr. Drew, I want to go to you. You are an addiction expert. You know more than anyone about the celebrity doctor culture in Hollywood.
You and I had spent a lot of time talking about some stars who seem to get pretty much anything they want from their doctors.
So do you think that tonight, after this verdict, there are now doctors in Hollywood who are shaking in their boots after watching Conrad Murray get cuffed and sent off to jail, worried they could be next?
DR. DREW PINSKY, HOST, "DR. DREW": I`m certain that the message is out, but I`m also certain that this epidemic we`re in is not over. You know, when I first started practicing addiction medicine, when you go to a 12- step meeting, maybe five percent, 10 percent of the room would have a pill problem.
Now, it`s 89 percent of the room would have at least a passing issue with the pills. And it`s so bad to the point now where my patients, when they die -- when they die of their addictive process, it is now essentially 100 percent of the time on pills prescribed by my peers.
That`s how common this is, and that`s not limited just to celebrities. So I am hoping that this goes out well beyond just the celebrity community as well so people understand that just because you are taking a pill under a doctor`s supervision doesn`t mean it is not dangerous.
And certainly, anybody out there that gives a celebrity special care or treats them as thought they were really a friend, that is anathema to the same situation, anathema to good care and synonymous to the situation Dr. Murray found himself in, which is when you a dual relationship with the patient, particularly a patient with addiction, when you are the friend and the doctor, it ends up in a disaster for the patient.
You must just be the doctor and render the standard of care, the best care, because that`s what everybody gets. And if you give anything that is approximate to special care, it is going to be substandard.
HAMMER: Yes. Friend, doctor, and in the case of Dr. Murray, this guy was on the payroll. And now, because of his actions tonight, Dr. Murray is sitting there in an L.A. County jail.
Here is what is next for Dr. Murray. He`s going to stay locked up until sentencing. That happens on November 29th. He will face up to four years in prison. His California medical license is currently suspended. It could be revoked.
Now, TMZ is reporting that the jail is taking special precautions to keep him safe including keeping him away from the other inmates. And one of his defense attorneys is saying this isn`t over.
He says Dr. Murray will appeal. Vinnie, the big question everyone is asking now, will Dr. Murray be sent to prison for Michael Jackson`s death?
Is there any chance at all, come sentencing, the judge would let him go? I find it hard to believe that would happen. But what do you think? Is it a real possibility?
POLITAN: Well, in light of how that judge treated Dr. Conrad Murray today, cuffing him, having him taken out and held until November 29th, I think that there is a real good chance that he is getting real state prison time in terms of the sentence.
What the Department of Corrections and all the folks out in California with the overcrowded prisons do with him, I don`t know. I don`t understand what is going on in that state. But I think this judge will sentence this defendant to state prison.
HAMMER: Yes. It seems that he sent a message loud and clear by his actions today. And of course, the people reacting most strongly to this verdict, Michael Jackson`s family.
Now, Jane, I was watching it live right here on HLN this afternoon. You spoke with them as they filed out of the courtroom. And to say they were happy with the trial`s outcome I think would be a massive understatement. Let`s watch what they said to you, said to you live on HLN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
L. JACKSON: Thank you, America. I thank all the fans. Thank you, prosecuting team. Walgreen, you were great. Everybody was wonderful. I just want to thank you. And Jane, I love you.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: And what would you say to Michael if you could say something to him?
L. JACKSON: I`m going to say something -- Michael loves everybody out here. I love him. We all love him. And guess what? He was in that courtroom and that is why victory was served.
JERMAINE JACKSON: Justice, justice was served, yes. It was not enough time though.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What would you say for Michael?
JERMAINE JACKSON: Michael is with us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The Jackson family very pleased for now. But before and during the trial, Jane, of course, many of them said they think that Michael Jackson was murdered, part of a conspiracy.
One relative said Dr. Murray was just the fall guy. Jane, with this conviction, separate from the civil actions that are still coming down the line, I am thinking there was no way this is over for the Jackson family.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Absolutely not. LaToya thinks more people are involved. She would say to me, going into court, read between the lines. This is all an illusion.
She feels that Michael Jackson was, in fact, murdered. She says that Michael Jackson told her, "They`re going to kill me for my estate and my music collection."
And so I think that she obviously feels that there are more people responsible. And of course, Joe Jackson has a wrongful death suit against Conrad Murray. And Katherine is suing AEG. It is going to go on for a long time.
HAMMER: Plenty of drama still to come. Jane Velez-Mitchell, Dr. Drew, Vinnie Politan, thank you. But you are not going anywhere. You are sticking around. So much more to talk about such a big day in the Michael Jackson death trial.
Tonight, what about Michael Jackson`s kids? Of course, the trial is over. Dr. Conrad Murray is in jail. But there are still three young kids living without their dad tonight.
The SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Flashpoint -- will the end of the trial finally bring them some peace? Michael`s family speaks out about the verdict today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
L. JACKSON: Thank you, America. I thank all of the fans. Thank you, prosecuting team. Walgreen, you were great. You were great. Everybody was wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ponder this -- now that Dr. Murray has been found guilty, was this whole thing worth it for the Jackson family?
And what would Michael do? Tonight, why Michael Jackson may not have wanted Dr. Murray to go on trial in the first place. I`m going to tell you why. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Michael! Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am happy that Dr. Murray got handcuffs on him. Michael got handcuffed for a crime he didn`t commit.
MICHAEL JACKSON, POP STAR: This is it. I mean, this is really it. This is the final -- this is the final curtain call.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m not happy because Michael is gone. He is never coming back. He is never going to spend one more hour with his children.
But for now, it`s a good outcome. We got the most we can get right now. I just hope he`s going to get the maximum sentence.
PARIS KATHERINE JACKSON, MICHAEL JACKSON`S DAUGHTER: Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. And I just wanted to say I love him so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Who can ever forget that touching moment when Michael Jackson`s daughter, Paris, broke down as she paid tribute to her dad at his memorial service?
Welcome back to the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
What about Paris and her brothers, Michael and Blanket? What will happen in the lives of Michael Jackson`s kids now that Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of causing their father`s death?
Back with us live from Los Angeles, Dr. Drew, host of "THE DR. DREW SHOW," seen weeknights at 9:00 p.m. here on HLN.
So Dr. Drew, none of Michael Jackson`s kids went to court during the trial, frankly something I thought was a good thing. But clearly, they know the results of what happened today.
Are you thinking that they are now relieved? Or could this actually really serve to perhaps open up some old wounds for them?
PINSKY: You know, as long as we keep talking about this, as long as they are able to turn the television on and be reminded of their father`s death, it is not going to be good for them. It`s not going to be easy for them.
There is no doubt this is a good thing for the entire family. But look, we have three orphans here because of this situation. And when you get down to it, that is the ultimate sacrifice that has been made here.
Forget the fact that the man has lost his life, that we`ve all lost a great performer, probably one of the greatest of all time, in fact. But these children have lost their father, and that is the thing we just cannot forget in this whole thing.
HAMMER: And really, for me, and I think for so many others, the kids have been foremost in my mind.
PINSKY: Yes.
HAMMER: And who can forget that incredible testimony during the Conrad Murray trial when we heard those dramatic details from a bodyguard about how Michael Jackson`s children actually watched helplessly while their father died. Let`s watch how that played out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Paris was on the ground, balled up crying, and Prince was just -- he was standing there. And he was just -- he just had a really shocked -- you know, just slowly crying type of look in his face.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So Paris was actually on the floor?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You said balled up crying?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So, obviously, Dr. Drew, still tough to think about what those kids went through on that day.
PINSKY: But you know what?
HAMMER: Now that there is --
PINSKY: Yes.
HAMMER: Now that there is a verdict, in your mind, what is the best thing for them to do now to get on with their lives other than obviously avoiding coverage of the end of all of this?
PINSKY: The best thing, of course is to go on with their lives, to keep important relationships close, to get on with their peers and have their young adult lives.
And I`ll tell you what. A.J., the one thing that has been vindicated here in the entirety of the course of this trial is that it is as we have looked deeper into Michael Jackson`s life as a father, what kept coming up in the interviews I did was how devoted, how good of a father he was.
And you know, many of us worried how these kids were going to turn out back in the day when they were being carted around with masks and blankets over their heads.
And we thought, oh, my goodness. These are going to be bad times. But in point of fact, they seem like substantial, young adults, really. And they seem as though they are very healthy and well-adjusted.
And my hope is that they can just get on and have their young lives without their father, unfortunately, but with the support of the depths of the Jackson family, because obviously, they have all rallied around them and that they can begin to get close with their peers and move on.
But the vindication in my mind has been Michael Jackson as an excellent father.
HAMMER: Yes, an excellent father. And Dr. Drew, I heard you making a point earlier today on HLN that he should also be viewed as human. Yes, he had problems. Yes, he had addiction issues.
PINSKY: Yes.
HAMMER: But that is something that his kids hopefully won`t look at and feel badly about --
PINSKY: Yes.
HAMMER: Because he was human.
PINSKY: No. I mean, listen, in this country, how many people have parents who have had issues, that are flawed in some way?
And what I keep trying to get people to understand is by saying that Michael Jackson had the disease of addiction, it is no different than saying he had asthma or any other chronic medical condition.
The fact of the matter is though he was so poorly served by the medical community that that is where things went off of the rail.
It`s not him or his disease or his particular personal issues. He`s a human being. Celebrities are no different than anybody else. It`s now like -- I have told you this a thousand times on this program and many others --
HAMMER: Yes.
PINSKY: That it`s not like I have a sort of manual of celebrity diagnoses --
HAMMER: Right.
PINSKY: That we have to do to special paperwork (UNINTELLIGIBLE) like everybody else.
HAMMER: I do have to jump in there and end it there. But I am so happy that you have been making that point about Michael, Dr. Drew. Thank you as always.
We all watched as Dr. Conrad Murray was hauled off in handcuffs today. He`s in jail until the sentencing at the end of the month. He could get four years in jail. The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- should the judge throw the book at him?
And what would Michael do? Tonight, why Michael may not have wanted Dr. Murray to go on trial in the first place. We`ll tell you why. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank God he is guilty. Thank God he is guilty.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m feeling better than two or three minutes ago. If I could just get some water --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is going out right now.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!
M. JACKSON: I love you so much. Really. From the bottom of my heart.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: As you would well expect, there is a powerful and emotional reaction tonight to the conviction today of Dr. Conrad Murray in Michael Jackson`s death from some of Hollywood`s biggest stars.
I want to go right out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter. Kareen is live in Los Angeles right outside the courthouse where Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
Kareen, I`ve been following everything online. Everybody`s got something to say today.
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: You know, A.J., they sure do. In fact, the star Twitterverse just exploded after the verdict.
Take a look at what Nicki Minaj tweeted, "People are cheering, but there really are no winners here. This has been an utter tragedy from beginning to end. RIP, Michael Jackson."
LL Cool J. tweeted simply, "M.J., RIP." And Ryan Seacrest wondered, "Big question is, will Dr. Murray serve time?"
And the verdict, A.J., was also on everyone`s minds tonight at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KERRY WASHINGTON, ACTRESS: We were watching CNN and we all thought, wow, how amazing that we are kind of sharing this moment. Yes, there is definitely a moment in pop culture history that we`ll never forget.
GAYLE KING, EDITOR-AT-LARGE, "O MAGAZINE": Do I think that Dr. Conrad Murray intended to kill Michael Jackson? No, I do not. But I do think that he was certainly -- based on following the trial and listening to the trial, his actions to me do appear to be negligent.
WENDY WILLIAMS, HOST, "THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW": Somebody had to take the fall. I mean, you know, poor doctor. You know, he -- I guess that he had a hand along with about 150,000 other hands.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER: You know, A.J., I have to say that a lot of people agree with what Wendy Williams had to say right there.
HAMMER: Yes. And I was also reading where a lot of people agree with me that this is not necessarily a time for celebration.
It`s a time to perhaps be pleased with the outcome, if that is how you feel. But jubilation I don`t think really has a place tonight and that is what I am reading a lot as well. Kareen Wynter, thank you so much.
Now, to the SHOWBIZ lineup -- here`s what`s coming up at the bottom of the hour on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The Jackson family speaks out about the dramatic end to the M.J. death trial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
L. JACKSON: Thank you, America. I thank all the fans. Thank you, prosecuting team. Walgreen, you were great. Everybody was wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: The SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- was the trial worth it for the Jackson family? And what would Michael do? Well, LaToya believes that Michael`s spirit was in that courtroom today. But could it be that Michael wouldn`t have wanted Dr. Murray to go on trial in the first place? This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: LaToya grabbed me when we came outside. LaToya grabbed me and hugged me and I said, "Oh, thank you, LaToya. I needed that, because I`m missing my baby. I am missing Michael. I`m missing everybody right now.
But thank you. We got justice for America, and justice for Michael and justice for everybody that`s out here. We are happy. We are happy. We are happy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Watching the Jacksons perform is contagious. The atmosphere is charged with magical electricity and excitement. Marvelous feelings and emotions will take possession over your being.
Rest assured, this will be no ordinary concert. It would be a happy -- an event, an extravaganza. So do yourself a favor -- bring your family. There is something for everyone.
The Jacksons in concert. It`s musical magic. It`s exciting. It`s electric. It`s convivial. It`s enthralling. You really can`t afford to miss it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- Dr. Conrad Murray, guilty. Tonight, the reaction from Michael Jackson`s family. Moments after the verdict, they spoke exclusively with HLN`s Jane Velez- Mitchell.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
L. JACKSON: Thank you, America. I thank all the fans. Thank you, prosecuting team. Walgreen, you were great. Everybody was wonderful.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT dares to ask. Has it been worth it for Michael`s family? Do they really have closure now?
Conrad confined. Conrad Murray was hauled off to jail moments after the verdict. Should he get the maximum sentence? Is his life in danger behind bars?
And would Michael have wanted Conrad Murray to go to jail? The surprising new M.J. insight.
ANNOUNCER: TV`s most provocative entertainment news show continues right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Welcome back to the special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. It is 30 minutes past the hour. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with the big burning questions about the guilty verdict of the Conrad Murray trial today.
Michael Jackson fans around the world cheered when the verdict came down on live television. Conrad Murray, convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Conrad Robert Murray, guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter in violation of Penal Code Section 192, Subsection B.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT brings you the major burning questions that still remain. Was the whole trial ultimately worth for it the family?
We have your first look at the Jackson family`s reaction today. Sentencing for Murray is going to happen on November 29th. He is in jail right now and he stays there until then.
Which bring us another big SHOWBIZ Flashpoint tonight -- should the judge throw the book at Conrad Murray? And some fans hate Dr. Murray so much, it begs the SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- is Conrad Murray`s life in danger?
Joining me right now, live from near the courthouse, HLN`s Jane Velez- Mitchell who has been right there in the center of all of the action, the crushing action of the Conrad Murray trial, right from the very start. She, of course, is the host of HLN`s "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL."
Also, right now, near the courthouse, Ryan Smith, who is the host for "In Session" on Tru TV and entertainment attorney.
Also with us tonight from Atlanta, Vinnie Politan, host of HLN`s "SPECIAL REPORT," host of HLN`s "PRIME NEWS" and a former prosecutor.
Well, you could actually hear a squeal of delight today as the verdict was read. Some say it was coming from one of Michael Jackson`s family members who simply could not contain their joy when the verdict was read.
And today, LaToya and Rebbie and Jermaine all told Jane Velez-Mitchell just how happy they were at today`s verdict. Watch how it all played out live right here on HLN.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JERMAINE JACKSON: Justice was served. Yes. It wasn`t enough time though.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: What would you say for Michael?
JERMAINE JACKSON: Michael is with us. Michael is with us.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Tell us what you would say to America right now.
R. JACKSON: Just thank you so much. I`m just happy it is over with. Nothing will bring him back, but I`m happy he was found guilty.
L. JACKSON: Thank you, America. I thank all the fans. Thank you, prosecuting team. Walgreen, you were great. Everybody was wonderful. I just want to thank you for really -- Jane, I love you.
VELEZ-MITCHELL What would you say to Michael if you could say something.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I`m going to say something. Michael loves everybody out here. I love him. We all love him. And guess what? He was in that courtroom and that`s why victory was served.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Victory was served. Jane, you`ve been right there watching the Jackson family closely throughout the entire trial, getting to speak with them.
Yes, there was satisfaction today for them. But it did take a big toll on them listening to all the difficult testimony day in and day out. So for our first SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- was the whole trial ultimately worth it for the family? What do you think?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, they certainly think it was. In fact, they wanted a more serious charge. But I have to wonder, at the end of the day, if Michael Jackson would have wanted everything that was revealed, revealed.
He was a very private person. And we heard so much, so many unflattering details about his personal life, hearing him slurring his words on that audiotape, looking at his almost naked body in the autopsy photo.
Here, you have the common catheter, and all sorts of unflattering details. I have to wonder if it really was the best thing for Michael Jackson`s legacy.
HAMMER: May I make this perfectly clear to you, Jane? We all know that Michael Jackson was perhaps the ultimate perfectionist. He didn`t like you to see a dance move until he had it perfectly down.
He didn`t like you to hear a song unless he signed off on it. He would be mortified at what was revealed in that courthouse. Vinnie, though, to your SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, as far as the family was concerned, was it all worth it for them?
POLITAN: I think it is. And what people think about tonight is that feeling after the Casey Anthony verdict where "not guilty" is what the jury said, and everyone was left with, "Well, what happened?" And all the questions weren`t answered.
But today, in Los Angeles, through the last month of testimony and today`s verdict, the question was answered. We now know what happened to Michael Jackson. We know who is responsible. We know why he is dead. And the jury got the truth out.
HAMMER: And I know you, Vinnie and you, Jane, are feeling what I am feeling, what the fans are feeling that, wow, it is hard to almost believe that we are on the other side of all of this.
We have Conrad Murray now facing up to four years in prison. That sentencing, as I have mentioned, will go down on November 29th. The judge denied Murray bail. It surprised a lot of people.
I thought it was a tremendous symbolic gesture of closure perhaps for many. He was taken away in handcuffs, leading to our next SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- should they throw the book at Conrad Murray? Ryan Smith, off to you. What do you think?
RYAN SMITH, HOST, "IN SESSION": I think they probably will. Should they? Well, they certainly have right to do it. I think a lot of people out there are clamoring for something more than four years.
They wanted a second-degree murder charge. So I think there`s a pretty good chance at it. Good evidence of that is that he remanded him and he didn`t have to do that. Essentially, is Conrad Murray a flight risk? Will he not return to court?
So far, he has proven he would do all that. But still, he is going to spend his time in jail. So I would not be surprised here, A.J., to see him get the full four years.
HAMMER: And as we`ve been making that point, Ryan, you know, Michael Jackson`s diehard fans don`t think four years is enough time. The family thinks he was undercharged. Four years is the maximum Murray can get.
Jane, I want to watch what one fan told you today. She could not have been any more clear about how she felt. Roll it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Four years is not enough. Four years is not enough. Four years is never going to be enough. Ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So what she is saying is four years can never be enough, Jane. So to our SHOWBIZ Flashpoint, should they throw the book at Murray? Will that possibly satisfy diehard fans or probably not?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, A.J., I think the judge is going to throw the book at Conrad Murray. Unfortunately, that book is a paperback. There`s not much that he can do.
Four years max and then with the new guidelines, he is likely, because he is a nonviolent first-time offender, to be transferred to jail. There is an overcrowding crisis in the jail. And who knows how long he could serve. Look at the experience of Lindsay Lohan, in and out.
HAMMER: Yes.
VELEZ-MITCHELL: So we don`t know. And then the fans could get really mad if he really saunters out quickly.
HAMMER: Yes. That`s exactly what I`m afraid of. You know, we were afraid for what the reaction might have been today had there been a not-guilty verdict.
But one thing is for sure though. We at least know that he is going to spend the next 20-odd days in jail. That`s where he`ll remain until his sentencing.
And let`s face it, Conrad Murray, not well-liked by fans, by the Jackson family. That brings us to our next SHOWBIZ Flashpoint -- is Dr. Conrad Murray`s life in danger?
Now, Vinnie, TMZ reporting today that Murray is going to have a 24-hour escort in jail. It seems to me that he`s got to watch his back. What do you think?
POLITAN: Absolutely. Who is Conrad Murray tonight? Conrad Murray is the man who killed Michael Jackson. Conrad Murray is the man who killed Michael Jackson. I think that he has to be in protective custody tonight.
If he serves time in the state prison, he`s going to need to be in protective custody. You know, there might be some inmate in there who wants to be the one that took down the man who killed Michael Jackson for whatever reason.
So I think Conrad Murray has got to be careful. And I think authorities will take it very, very seriously.
HAMMER: Yes. He has apparently his own cell so he is even more protected. But you make the point that it is now a matter of fact that he is the guy who killed Conrad Murray (sic).
Ryan, the word "pariah" comes to mind even after Murray serves his time in jail, even after he`s released. I am thinking this guy is going to have to go into hiding. Do you agree with me that his life could very well be in danger for the rest of his life?
SMITH: Absolutely. He`s going to be watched all over the world. Jackson fans are not going to forget. And a lot of them out there feel, as you said, it is not enough. So they are going to be looking at him.
They`re going to be seeing what he is all about. If he wants to resume practicing medicine, that`s going to be a whole thing. He`s going to have to handle with the medical boards of California, Texas and Nevada.
But make no mistake -- he is the kind of person, unfortunately or not, after he gets out of prison, after he serves the time, people are going to be looking to continue to take him to task for what he did to the King of Pop.
They are looking at him as if he is the man who took away Michael Jackson`s life. That`s been found in court, and they`re not going to let it go.
HAMMER: Yes. He`s got that stamp on him forever now. Ryan Smith, Jane Velez-Mitchell and Vinnie Politan, I thank you all.
So think about it. It`s jubilation, relief, outrage, disgust -- all of that today. Somebody even passed out outside the courthouse. Really an unbelievable spectacle when Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted today in the Michael Jackson death trial.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CROWD: Michael! Michael! Michael! Michael!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am just so happy. Thank you so much for justice being served.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: So what was it like to be there as the emotions erupted? Well, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT was right there. We are taking you inside of the thick of the frenzy.
So Conrad Murray is spending his very first night in jail tonight as a convict. But is it possible that Michael Jackson may not have wanted Dr. Murray to do time? Tonight, the surprising new M.J. insight. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The greatest (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Katherine lost a son. That was not a superstar. That was her baby. And when I saw her face, and I saw her like, you know, upset about the verdict, it almost made me break into tears because she`s such a wonderful person.
She`s such a wonderful human being. And I`m glad justice was done. If they had not found guilty, I would not have believed in the justice system ever again.
There`s not way he could not have been found guilty. That`s my personal opinion. I think that -- I`m glad he is found guilty. I hope he gets the maximum.
(MUSIC)
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(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER (on camera): Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York City and this is a special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. The shocking death of Michael Jackson.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT in breaking news mode on this story that still seems so hard to believe. Let`s get you up to speed on the latest breaking developments.
Tonight, confirmation that Michael Jackson, one of the biggest superstars of all time is dead at the age of 50.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We, the jury in the above entitled action, find the defendant, Conrad Robert Murray, guilty of the crime of involuntary manslaughter.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: It is amazing how far we have come with this. Welcome back to this special live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And I don`t think that the emotions could have gotten any higher just outside of the courthouse in Los Angeles this afternoon when the guilty verdict was read.
Dr. Conrad Murray convicted in the death of Michael Jackson. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter has been there all day long capturing what it is really like in that sea of people, and she joins us live tonight.
WYNTER: A.J., you are so right. The emotions hit fever pitch when the word came down that Dr. Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter. And I was right there in the middle of it all. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! Guilty!
WYNTER: And people out here are absolutely stunned, so many fans who were out here anticipating this verdict, not knowing which way it would go.
You told me, Patty(ph), that you were sick to your stomach. You were hyperventilating. How do you feel now knowing that it is a guilty verdict?
PATTY, MICHAEL JACKSON FAN: I am still sick to my stomach, but I`m just so happy. Thank you so much for justice being served.
WYNTER: We have another Jackson fan here, someone who has been so passionate all along. Cynthia, you have been praying, you`ve been hoping for a guilty verdict.
CYNTHIA, MICHAEL JACKSON FAN: Yes.
WYNTER: You got one today, lady.
CYNTHIA: Yes, and now take the license away, please, in Las Vegas and in Texas so he can`t ever do this to anyone else again.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I`m so glad he`s guilty. Thank you, Michael Jackson. I hope you rest in peace. No house arrest, please. Let him serve four years in jail.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: Such incredible energy out there, Kareen. I know you were outside the courthouse all day today after the -- and pretty much day after day since the trial began.
So now, looking back, as we take a moment, take a breath, was the reaction what you expected?
WYNTER: It really wasn`t, A.J. Of course, I knew it would be raw. You know, these are people loved Michael Jackson, and they love him even in death.
But the emotions were so raw, so intense it wasn`t anything at all that I expected, you know, just being there in that crushing crowd.
And after the verdict was read, there was actually that one woman that you saw at the end of my report. Well, she had to be carried out on a stretcher because she fainted.
And even leading up to that verdict, there were people praying and crying all around me. For so many people, this was a long day coming.
HAMMER: Yes. I just didn`t expect it to be quite so jubilant. It sounded like New Year`s Eve there. And despite all the positive emotion today about justice for Michael Jackson, there are certainly people out there who are not celebrating tonight.
And in fact, they are placing some of the blame squarely back on Michael Jackson. HLN`s Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "ISSUES WITH JANE VELEZ- MITCHELL," right here on HLN, has also been covering the trial since day one.
Jane is with me live tonight from right near the courthouse. And I`ve got to tell you, Jane, when we posted the verdict on our SHOWBIZ TONIGHT Facebook page this afternoon, we were overwhelmed by the comments.
Not all of them have been positive. I want to read this one in particular. You may relate to this. Michelle M. wrote, "I disagree with it. Michael was an addict. A lot of people are saying his fans deserve closure."
"But we deserved for him to be a clean, functional person. His kids deserved that. Dr. Murray deserved to be in front of a medical board, but not criminal court."
Jane, I have to ask you. As someone in recovery, I`m sure you have something to say about that. Are you surprised to hear such sympathy for Michael -- for Conrad Murray so soon after the verdict?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I am really not, because, here at the courthouse, it was overwhelming Michael Jackson fans, devoted fans. They have no sympathy for Conrad Murray.
But out there in the street, just going around Los Angeles, as I was covering this case, tremendous sympathy for him. In a case -- there is a sense that this is a case of selective indignation to a certain degree, that there are other doctors who did similar things and why are the authorities not going after them?
Now, the fact is that Michael Jackson tragically died on Conrad Murray`s watch. But I do think that it deserves a look. I think the authorities should look into any other doctors who were treating Michael Jackson illegitimately and get their names and investigate them.
Maybe they are not charged with involuntary manslaughter, but maybe they are charged with something.
HAMMER: I`ve got a quick yes or no for you, Jane, because there are those who are writing on the wall that he shouldn`t get to practice medicine anymore, but shouldn`t be a felon. Was justice served today, yes or no?
VELEZ-MITCHELL: I think that justice was served today, but I think it`s just the beginning. This has opened a Pandora`s Box. And I really hope it results in a cultural shift, and the Dr. Feel-Goods of the world are put on notice. No more. No more.
HAMMER: Got to go. Jane Velez-Mitchell, thank you so much. Look, it`s going to be three long weeks for Dr. Conrad Murray, waiting for his sentence. But what if M.J. had his way?
Would Michael have wanted Conrad Murray to go to jail? Surprising new revelations, next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It was very emotional for me. Finally, there`s justice, a little bit of justice. Seeing Murray in handcuffs was fabulous.
M. JACKSON: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) too much in the end. What is that?
(MUSIC)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If Michael Jackson were here today, I believe, in my opinion, Michael would not want Conrad Murray to go to jail.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Is that right? Would Michael Jackson have actually been upset with the jury finding Dr. Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter?
You know, you kind of have to wonder what Michael Jackson would say about the circus inside of the courtroom earlier today and the circus outside of the courthouse after the verdict was read. Would he have been happy?
With me tonight from Hollywood right near the courthouse, entertainment attorney, Ryan Smith, who is the host of "In Session" on Tru TV. Ryan has been bringing you incredible non-stop coverage of the trial day in and day out right here on HLN.
Ryan, I want you to listen to exactly what that Michael Jackson fan said to us outside the courtroom today about what Michael would have wanted.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If Michael Jackson was here today, I believe, in my opinion, Michael would want Conrad Murray to go to jail, because everyone that knew Michael, that met Michael, knew that Michael was about peace. Michael was about love. Michael was about humanity and forgiveness.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ryan, what is your take on that? Do you agree? Would Michael have actually wanted Conrad Murray to go free?
SMITH: You know, with all due respect to that opinion, A.J., I think that he`s right. Michael did want peace. He did want love, but he also wanted to live.
And I think that he hired Dr. Murray -- and I go back to the words of Cherilyn Lee. We talked to her about getting propofol. He said doctors had told him it was OK as long as he was monitored.
That is why he had Dr. Murray as his doctor. He had him there. I don`t care what you think about addiction or anything like that. Ultimately, this doctor was there to serve his patient.
That`s the relationship Michael Jackson wanted and depended on and he didn`t get it. So I do think that Michael Jackson would have wanted Dr. Murray taken to task for that.
HAMMER: Michael Jackson did believe in our justice system. And for sure, I agree he absolutely would have wanted justice today. Ryan Smith, thank you so much. Great work out there.
All right. So Michael Jackson might not have wanted Dr. Murray to go to jail. Maybe he would have. But did Conrad Murray get exactly what he deserved? That provocative answer is coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Here is something that wasn`t a shock to me tonight. The Twitterverse went absolutely wild moments after Dr. Conrad Murray`s guilty verdict was announced.
So did the doctor get what he deserved? Well, the verdict on that is pretty unclear on Twitter. Here is one from @rwinbush, "M.J.`s family ought to take some responsibility for Jackson`s addiction. He shut them out, but they should have been more public about it."
From across the pond came this tweet from Derek Dy(ph), "At last, that trial is over and Conrad Murray got what he deserved for his reckless behavior."
From Star Jones, "Dang. Conrad Murray has been remanded to jail pending sentence. Go directly to jail. Do not collect $200. Go to jail."
And that is it for this live edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer. You can catch SHOWBIZ TONIGHT exclusively Sunday through Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific here on HLN.
"DR. DREW" next with witnesses that took the stand during the Michael Jackson death trial, starting right now.
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