Nightly News   |  November 04, 2011

Fate of Michael Jackson’s doctor in jury’s hands

Dr. Conrad Murray's fate is now in the hands of the jury. NBC's Jeff Rossen reports from the courthouse in Los Angeles.

Share This:

This content comes from a Full-Text Transcript of the program.

BRIAN WILLIAMS, anchor: Now we go to Southern California and the trial of Michael Jackson 's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray . Tonight Dr. Murray 's fate is in the hands of the jury. NBC 's Jeff Rossen covering for us. He's outside court in LA. Jeff , good evening.

JEFF ROSSEN reporting: Hi, Brian. Good evening. Still a fluid situation here. The jury has been deliberating all day and not a peep from them. Not a single note, not a single read back from the judge. They took a one hour lunch break earlier this afternoon, and then a late afternoon snack break. But now they are back in the jury room deliberating again, and still no word. Keep in mind, Conrad Murray is not charged with murder here. He's charged with involuntary manslaughter. That means the jury is not debating whether or not Murray killed Michael Jackson , but rather whether Murray was criminally negligent in leading to the death of Michael Jackson . That it what is happening inside the courthouse. I want to show you what's happening outside of it as well. A scene -- there was a couple of dozen protesters as you can see on your screen right now. Most of them Michael Jackson fans chanting and yelling at passerbys -- passersby. So far they have been rather peaceful, but there is a large police presence here. There is also a media frenzy inside the courthouse, as well, as international media arrives. But once again, Brian , we are still on verdict watch. It could happen at any moment. We're told they will be deliberating at least for another hour.

WILLIAMS: Jeff Rossen in LA tonight. Jeff , thanks.