Jackson jury get the weekend off

Jurors considering the case against Michael Jackson's doctor ended their first day of deliberations without reaching a verdict or asking any questions indicating how far along they have got in their discussions.

The seven-man, five-woman panel was given highlighters and blank forms to request evidence after starting deliberations in Los Angeles yesterday morning.

They went into recess around 4pm local time and were set to resume discussions on Monday.

The jury must reach a unanimous verdict to either convict or acquit Dr Conrad Murray of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's June 2009 death.

Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anaesthetic propofol; Murray has acknowledged giving Jackson propofol to help him sleep.

The jury is not sequestered and will deliberate during the court's regular hours. A verdict will be read the same day it is reached.

During closing arguments of the six-week trial, lawyers for the Houston-based cardiologist attacked prosecutors and their witnesses, saying they had over time developed stories and theories that placed the blame for Jackson's death squarely on Murray.

Prosecutors countered that Murray was an opportunistic and inept doctor who left Jackson's three children without a father.

They said that Murray giving Jackson propofol as a sleep aid violated standards of care and amounted to a secret experiment in which the doctor kept no records. AP