Michael Jackson Manslaughter Trial Begins

The controversial trial of Dr. Conrad Murray started on Tuesday (September 27). The prosecution and defense have made their opening arguments in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Pop legend Michael Jackson.

Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told jurors that, on the morning of his death, Jackson swallowed several lorazepam pills, and ingested the anesthetic propofol, allegedly leading to a "perfect storm in his body" that, in the end, was fatal. The defense's statement came after more than an hour of opening arguments after prosecutors painted a different picture, According to CBS News.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter, with his attorneys denying that he gave Jackson anything lethal. Members of the Jackson family in attendance included father Joseph, mother Katherine, sisters LaToya and Janet, and brothers Jermaine, Randy, and Tito. If convicted Murray faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.