No one thought it would end this way for Joe Paterno: the iconic Penn State football coach has announced his retirement, effective at the end of this season, due to the ongoing sex scandal surrounding the university’s athletic department. In 2002, Paterno learned that former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky may have abused a boy in a locker room shower, but only reported the incident to the athletic director, as opposed to the police. “I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case. I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief,” the record-breaking coach state in a statement, adding: “I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can. This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.”
As previously reported, MSNBC is planning to air a controversial documentary about Dr. Conrad Murray this weekend, and Michael Jackson’s estate is absolutely livid. The star’s executors issued a statement, saying, “Like so many of Michael’s fans, the Estate is disgusted by MSNBC’s irresponsible and inexplicable decision.” “Co-Executors John Branca and John McClain are sending a letter to executives at Comcast, NBC Universal and MSNBC to express disdain for their actions.” Jackson’s fans are understandably up in arms as well, with the group “Justice 4 MJ” trying to organize a global boycott of the documentary about Murray. “The only documentary we want to see is the one of Murray enjoying prison life,” they said . Murray was found guilty of manslaughter earlier this week. “Michael Jackson and The Doctor: A Fatal Friendship,” filmed during the lead-up to the trial, does not paint the late singer in a flattering light. Branca and McClean are irate that Murray has no qualms about “smearing the reputation of his ‘friend,'” even though he refused to testify under penalty of perjury in his trial, and at the network for giving him a platform. The co-executors doubt MSNBC’s claim that Murray got paid only $1 for his participation, claiming “moral loopholes” (such as those they’re reportedly using to try to lure Casey Anthony ) to “boost ratings at a struggling network.” Murray will be sentenced November 29.
One day after Conrad Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson , the late King of Pop is suffering an injustice of another kind. According to E! Online several items that belonged to Jackson are up for auction, including the bed that he died on. Plan Your Trip To MJ’s Home State! To see the full list of items being auctioned go to E! Online. RELATED POSTS: Twitter Responds To Conrad Murray “Guilty” Verdict Conrad Murray Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Death Of Michael Jackson
The world waited on edge as the the verdict of the Conrad Murray trial was deliberated then reached. Finally the jury announced that he had been found “Guilty” in the “involuntary manslaughter” of Michael Jackson. Twitter immediately reacted in either shock or with agreement! RELATED: Conrad Murray Found Guilty Of Involuntary Manslaughter In Death Of Michael Jackson Michael Jackson: A Style Retrospective Willow & Jaden Smith Mentoring Michael Jackson’s Kids
Michael Jackson doctor convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Monday. By Gil Kaufman Dr. Conrad Murray Photo: Al Seib/Pool/Getty Images The lawyers for Conrad Murray are planning to lodge an appeal on behalf of Michael Jackson ‘s former doctor. Murray, who was immediately sent to jail on Monday following his conviction on a single felony charge is being housed in a part of the Los Angeles County jail set aside for high-profile prisoners. According to CNN , Murray’s defense team has promised to appeal the conviction, but not before they prepare for his upcoming sentencing hearing on November 29. Defense attorney Nareg Gourjian said that Murray was “devastated” by the guilty verdict, but he is “confident” that he will win release on appeal. “What matters most right now is trying to keep Dr. Murray from taking up a prison cell in this community,” lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff said. “That’s what we’re focusing on right now and we’ll deal with an appeal after that.” Though Murray is facing up to four years in state prison on the charge, because of recent changes in sentencing laws in California aimed at reducing prison overcrowding, he is unlikely to spend any time in a state facility. His lawyers plan to ask for probation and Gourjian said he expects his client to spend “maybe a little bit” of time in county jail. Both lawyers said they were not surprised by the verdict but that their case was hampered by some of the pre-trial rulings that were made on evidence the defense had planned to show the jury. “I think that’s essentially what denied Dr. Murray a fair trial in this case,” Gourjian said. He suggested that the outcome may have been different if Murray’s team had been able to introduce evidence on Jackson’s past drug use and dire “financial condition.” The verdict is in on the Conrad Murray trial. Stick with MTV News for continued coverage, updates and analysis on MTVNews.com . Related Videos Michael Jackson’s Former Doctor Found Guilty Related Artists Michael Jackson
MTV Push Artist of the Week’s July album is gaining steam on radio. By Jocelyn Vena Breathe Carolina Photo: MTV News The two guys of Colorado electronic-rock outfit Breathe Carolina have this message for their fans: Hell Is What You Make It. Their album of that name, which dropped back in July, has started to pick up steam with music lovers, and the guys hope fans — both new and old — really immerse themselves in the LP. “It’s amazing, honestly. I think getting the opportunity, that’s the best part. To be able to say, ‘Here.’ I hope people get to dive into the record a little bit and really see who we are,” Kyle Even told MTV News when they stopped by the newsroom a few weeks back. “[The single] ‘Blackout’ is one song that we created. We’re very eclectic, and we definitely do whatever we want. I think you’ll find that out as you go through our catalog of songs and see who we are and where we came from.” The guys approached the album in a whole new way, helping shape the sound for the aggressive release. “This album was different with the writing process, because we wrote it with our whole band that we play live with,” David Schmitt said. “That was awesome, having their minds in the writing process. The first two records, it was just me and Kyle. We found a producer in [Ian] Kirkpatrick, and it didn’t seem like we were working. He made it huge for us.” The buzz should continue to grow for the pair: They are MTV’s Push Artist of the Week , and starting next month, they’ll hit the road, playing small clubs all over the country. “It’s cool just reaching a new audience now too with the radio stuff,” Schmitt said. “I feel like it’s brought Breathe Carolina to other ears that may not have heard it.” Listening to the album, it’s clear the guys have one mission, which Even explained to us: “Making people move — that’s our favorite part about writing that kind of music,” Even said. “We get to get out there and move some people, like, literally sometimes we’ll get in the crowd. We’ll get rowdy.” Have you checked out Breathe Carolina? Share your thoughts in the comments! Related Artists Breathe Carolina
Jury took nearly nine hours to return a verdict against Jackson’s former doctor. By Gil Kaufman Michael Jackson Photo: Getty Images After nearly six weeks of testimony and several gasp-inducing courtroom moments, the jury in the involuntary manslaughter trial against former Michael Jackson doctor Conrad Murray rendered a guilty verdict Monday (November 7) after almost nine hours of deliberation. The verdict came after 49 witnesses took the stand and the prosecution presented often-bruising testimony against Murray, a cardiologist with clinics in Texas and Las Vegas who was recruited in 2009 by Jackson to help the then-50-year-old star stay healthy in the run-up to his planned 50-date comeback tour, This Is It . The prosecution brought a long list of medical experts and emergency-room doctors to the stand to testify that Murray had not followed proper procedure in dealing with Jackson when the singer was in distress on the morning of June 25, 2009. They also presented evidence that the care Murray provided for Jackson in the weeks and months leading up to that fateful morning were substandard or outside the bounds of legal and ethical requirements. The witnesses concluded that Murray lacked the proper monitoring equipment to administer the surgical anesthetic propofol to Jackson, an off-label use of the intravenously delivered drug that was reportedly employed to help chronic insomniac Jackson get to sleep. Investigators found that Murray ordered nearly 4 gallons of propofol in his treatment regimen for Jackson and administered the drug inside the singer’s rented home, a practice that all the prosecution experts said was unheard of. Jurors also heard testimony about how Murray left Jackson’s bedroom for a period after providing him with propofol and spent his time making calls and sending texts to a former girlfriend. When he realized Jackson was in distress, Murray gave the pop star CPR on a bed, a decision that also deviated from the suggested method requiring a hard surface under the patient. Murray was additionally faulted for waiting more than 20 minutes to call 911, not keeping proper records and failing to tell the paramedics and ER doctors that he had given Jackson propofol. While prosecution witnesses claimed Murray acted with “gross negligence” in treating Jackson, the physician’s own team of lawyers countered with a string of defense witnesses who called into question claims made by Jackson’s bodyguard that he requested that staffers hide bottles of propofol before he dialed 911. Other character witnesses testified to the generous, attentive nature of Murray’s medical practice, while expert defense witnesses cast doubt on the theories about Jackson’s death provided by the prosecution’s star witness, Dr. Steven Shafer . Murray, who was slated to make $150,000 a month to care for Jackson, had pleaded not guilty to the single felony charge and is now facing four years in prison. But new sentencing laws in California aimed at mandatorily reducing state prison overcrowding mean that, as a nonviolent offender with no prior record, he is likely to be sentenced to county jail instead. If that is the case, his sentence could be reduced further. He also still faces a civil lawsuit brought by MJ’s father, Joseph Jackson , which seeks financial restitution. Both Joseph Jackson and Michael’s mother, Katherine, were on hand to hear Monday’s verdict, along with several of the singer’s siblings and a throng of sign-waving fans gathered in support of both Jackson and Murray. Agree With The Verdict? Was Justice Served? Tell Us On Facebook! MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray case live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. Celebrate the life and legacy of Michael Jackson tonight at 9 p.m ET/PT when VH1 presents the World Broadcast premiere of “Michael Jackson’s This Is It.” Related Videos Michael Jackson’s Former Doctor Found Guilty Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson
Amy Harris accused MC of slapping her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans. By Gil Kaufman Odd Future’s Left-Brain onstage at the Voodoo Festival in New Orleans On October 30 Photo: Amy Harris A photographer who claimed Odd Future member Left Brain (born Vyron Turner) assaulted her at last month’s Voodoo Experience festival in New Orleans filed charges against the MC on Friday. Amy Harris accused Turner of slapping her across the face and knocking her camera lens to the ground in the October 30 incident. A representative for the New Orleans Police Department confirmed for MTV News that the single charge of simple battery had been filed and that a detective has been assigned to investigate. Harris would not comment further, referring all questions to a Los Angeles law firm handling her case. In a statement released Sunday, she wrote, “It is my understanding that a police report I filed in New Orleans on Friday has now become public knowledge and is being reported on various websites. At this time, I do not wish to discuss the filing of the police report other than to say that, upon further reflection of events of the past week, it is something I needed to do. The week’s events have been extremely upsetting.” Harris added that she decided to go to police after receiving anonymous email threats about the incident. The charge carries a jail term of up to six months and up to $1,000 in fines. The incident, in which Harris claims the rapper swatted the photographer in the head and knocked the lens off her camera while leaving her with a red welt on her face, came during Odd Future’s set at the annual festival. Harris has released a photo she took in which Turner can be seen bending down and looking directly into the camera with his right hand coming forward in a swinging motion as he grits his teeth. Turner has not commented on the charges filed, but in a since-removed post on his Tumblr — in which he posted Harris’ photo — he wrote, “I didn’t slap that old bi—. Everybody seen that sh–. Idgaf though. F— her and f— the media. I’m not stupid and I’m not lettin nobody sue me for my paper. It’s my job to slap cameras out the way so like I said before, f— your opinion your blog and ya peeps. Ha.” A spokesperson for the festival released a statement after the incident, which read, “The Voodoo Experience does not in any way condone the behavior of Odd Future towards the approved media assembled in the photo pit during the band’s set. … Festival organizers would like to apologize to their media guests who experienced and/or witnessed this abusive behavior.” But in a statement to Pitchfork , the band’s spokesperson denied the incident. “There simply is no truth to the accusation floating around the internet. It’s no secret that Odd Future has a love/hate relationship with photographers at shows simply because sometimes they are given access the group wishes their fans would have instead. After telling the photographers to clear out multiple times (as they’ve done before) Vyron (Leftbrain) took a swipe at a few cameras, NOT people. To manipulate the situation to insinuate an attack on a woman specifically is careless and manipulative.” The spokesperson declined to comment to MTV News on the charges. Related Artists Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All
Verdict should be read at 1 p.m. PT. By Gil Kaufman Dr. Conrad Murray Photo: Pool/ Getty Images After just more than nine hours of deliberation, the jury in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson ‘s former doctor, Conrad Murray, reached a decision Monday morning (November 7). The seven-man, five-woman jury rang a buzzer three times following nearly three hours of deliberation Monday to indicate that they had reached a unanimous decision in the felony case against the Houston cardiologist. The 10:56 a.m. buzz came after jurors deliberated for seven hours on Friday and came to no conclusion. The verdict is slated to be read in court around 1 p.m. PT. The jurors listened to six weeks of testimony in the trial and were tasked with deciding if Murray was criminally negligent in his treatment of Jackson, including if his administration of the surgical anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid to the 50-year-old pop icon was a factor in the singer’s death. The jurors had to weigh the opinions of a number of medical professionals called by the prosecution, who painted a picture of a physician who did not follow accepted protocols and who they claimed was motivated by a big payday. The defense countered with former patients of Murray’s who attested to his generosity and attention, as well as experts who refuted the prosecution expert’s claims that it was Murray who provided the final, fatal dose of sedatives and propofol that sent Jackson into cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009. In his closing statement Thursday, prosecutor David Walgren said the evidence that Murray was responsible for Jackson’s death was “overwhelming” and “abundantly clear.” Defense counsel Ed Chernoff countered that that it was Jackson who caused his own death, not Murray. Murray is facing up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if convicted. MTV News will be covering the Conrad Murray verdict live. Go to MTVNews.com for breaking news, reactions and analysis from Los Angeles or tune to MTV for the latest updates. Related Photos Michael Jackson: A Life In Photos Related Artists Michael Jackson
