Closing arguments begin in Conrad Murray trial

Closing arguments began Thursday in the trial of Michael Jackson’s personal physician with a prosecutor telling jurors the evidence of the doctor’s guilt in the involuntary manslaughter case was overwhelming.

Deputy Dist. Atty. David Walgren told jurors it was Dr. Conrad Murray’s actions that led to the pop star’s overdose death on the surgical anesthetic propofol.

“The evidence in this case is abundantly clear ... that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris, and Blanket without a father,” Walgren said.

Walgren noted that the medical expert called to the stand by prosecutors and defense attorneys said doctors had an ethical and legal obligation to say no when a patient asks them to do something that could have a harmful outcome.

Yet when Jackson came to him asking to be put to sleep with propofol, Murray did not act as a physician, but as an employee, Walgren said.