Michael Jackson's family has lost its bid to hold AEG Live accountable for the singer's death 2009. A jury sided with the concert promoter on Wednesday. Why?
The jury ruled AEG Live did hire Dr. Conrad Murray, which was key for the family, but the jury then ruled Conrad Murray was NOT unfit or incompetent.
Game over.
The issue that ultimately torpedoed Katherine Jackson's case was whether Murray was competent to treat MJ when he was hired. The jury said he was.
It's an interesting finding, as Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in criminal court for going rogue and doing things that killed Jackson.
Because he was competent at the onset, however, and because AEG's responsibility for his actions as well as Jackson's is limited, the family lost.
The billion-dollar wrongful death lawsuit alleged that the company negligently hired Dr. Murray and pushed the King of Pop too hard prior to his "This Is It" tour.
AEG claimed Jackson hand-picked Murray and what went on between the music legend and his personal physician was between the two of them and that's it.
The jury foreman explained that Murray was competent to do the job for which he was hired - be a general practitioner to Jackson prior to the tour.
Jurors felt that Murray had gone to a good school and was qualified, and that there was no reason AEG wouldn't have signed off on it at the time.
The juror added after the verdict, "That doesn't mean we felt he was ethical. Had that question been in there, it could have been a different outcome."
Essentially, that trial took place two years ago, and Murray was convicted. As far as holding AEG liable for the same thing, the jury wouldn't go there.
Case closed. What do you think: Was justice served?
