1) That AEG hired Dr. Murray. If the jury cannot agree on this point it is all over for the case. AEG denies hiring Dr. Murray and claims that Michael himself who hired Dr. Murray personally. AEG says that Michael paid Dr. Murray personally with money AEG advanced to Michael. AEG sent an email to Dr. Murray reminding him that AEG “pays his salary” ; however, AEG seems to say that email refers to payments to Michael that ultimately funneled down to Dr. Murray.
2) If and only if the jury finds that AEG did hire Murray, alone or in concert with Michael, then the jury must find that AEG should have known that Dr. Murray was a potential risk to Michael.
3) If the jury finds that AEG should have known Dr. Murray was a danger to Michael, the jury must find that AEG was negligent.
4) If all three of the above things are found to be true, then the jury can decide the degree of fault, or comparative negligence, for AEG and Michael. They may decide that AEG is 100% responsible and Michael is 0% responsible. Or perhaps they will find that Michael was 90% responsible and AEG is 10% responsible. They will use those percentages to potentially reduce the amount that the Jacksons are suing for.
Apparently the jury cannot give punitive damages. I do not understand why. They can decide to grant economic and personal damages which could be GINORMOUS. Essentially the personal damages are all future earnings of Michael Jackson.