LOS ANGELES: Jurors in the involuntary manslaughter case of Michael Jackson's doctor begin deliberations on Friday after a six-week trial that painted Conrad Murray as either an inept and opportunistic physician or a naive outsider granted access to the pop superstar's inner realm.

The seven-man , fivewoman panel listened intently on Thursday as prosecutors and defence attorneys argued over whether Murray should be convicted of involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's death in June 2009.

The physician's attorneys 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. Jackson died from a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol , which Murray acknowledged giving Jackson to help him sleep.

Prosecutor David Walgren noted that several doctors who testified - including two who were called by Murray's attorneys - said they would have never given the singer anesthesia in his bedroom.

The Houston-based cardiologist's culpability will be decided by jurors, who heard from 49 witnesses and have more than 300 pieces of evidence to consider. They were given lengthy instructions about how to deliberate and interpret the case.

If Murray is convicted, he faces a sentence that ranges from probation to four years behind bars, and he would lose his medical license. The sentence will be decided by superior court judge Michael Pastor and not the jury; the judge will receive input from attorneys for both sides and probation officials if necessary. Murray might serve any incarceration in a county jail rather than a state prison.

If acquitted, he would be free from criminal prosecution, but will likely be pursued by medical licensing authorities in California, Nevada and Texas.