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(AP) - A jury on Wednesday rejected a claim that the promoter of Michael Jackson's comeback concerts was negligent in hiring the doctor who killed the superstar with a drug overdose.
Katherine Jackson had sought to link AEG Live LLC to her son's death, arguing it hired Dr. Conrad Murray to be the singer's physician without considering whether he was fit for the job. Jurors rejected her lawsuit and said they didn't believe Murray was unfit or incompetent to perform his duties involving the singer.
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"We reached a verdict that we understand that not everybody is going to agree with. But the decision was reached after very careful consideration of five months of testimony, thousands of documents and of course the guidance of the court." __ jury foreman Gregg Barden.
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"AEG didn't do anything wrong and would not allow themselves to be shaken down." __ AEG Live lead defense attorney Marvin S. Putnam.
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"We, of course, are not happy with the result as it stands now. We will be exploring all options legally and factually and make a decision about anything at a later time." __ Kevin Boyle, attorney for Katherine Jackson.
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"I don't want to say whose fault it (Jackson's death) is. I'm not one to point fingers." __ Juror Bryant Carino, 36, of Los Angeles.
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"That doesn't mean we felt he was ethical." __ Barden, on the jury's findings regarding Murray.
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"AEG would have never agreed to finance this tour if they knew Mr. Jackson was playing Russian roulette in his bedroom every night." __ Putnam
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"We think that what we've done with this case is prove some things that are important for the Jackson family and for the concert industry and the sports industry with regards to treatment by doctors." __ Boyle
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