Jury begins deliberations in Michael Jackson wrongful death suit

2013-09-27 59

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of late pop star Michael Jackson against his concert promoter is now in the hands of a jury.

After closing arguments in the 21-week trial concluded on Thursday (September 26), the judge sent the jury to deliberate.

Jackson family lawyers have suggested in court documents that damages could exceed $1 billion (USD).

In his final closing statements before the jury was sent for deliberations, Brian Panish, the attorney representing Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson's three children, said that promoter AEG Live had no regard for the late entertainer's health and well-being, and that the only objective was financial gain.

SOUNDBITE: Brian Panish, Jackson family attorney, saying (English):

"Make no mistake, AEG is a moneymaking company, and they wanted to make money, they wanted Michael... They didn't want to help Michael do a comeback, they wanted to Michael so they could make money, and that's why they did it."