Michael Jackson manslaughter trial nearing end

Dr. Conrad Murray has been tried in Los Angeles Superior Court for involuntary manslaughter. The trial will begin its sixth week with the testimony of Paul White, the last defense witness.

Last week, the defense’s final witness claimed that Michael Jackson likely helped himself to extra doses of two potent drugs while his personal physician Conrad Murray’s back was turned.

Previously, Dr. Steven Shafer, an anesthesiologist affiliated with Columbia University, testified that the only plausible explanation for the death was that Jackson had been hooked up to an IV drip of the anesthetic propofol then left alone by Dr. Conrad Murray.

Shafer testified that even if MJ were able to start the IV drip on his own, Murray would still be held responsible for the death.

However, the Jackson family, who has attended trial every day, vehemently denied claims that MJ could have caused his own death.

If convicted, Murray could be accused of involuntary manslaughter and risk a penalty of up to four years in prison and loss of the right to practice medicine. Currently, the 58-year-old doctor is free on bail after being indicted in February 2010.