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Dr. Conrad Murray's Latest Defense Strategy: Praying

Defendant in Michael Jackson manslaughter trial sweats it out in a Los Angeles church before jury deliberations resume Monday

By Ken Baker Nov 06, 2011 7:31 PMTags
Conrad MurrayE! Networks

Facing Day 2 of jury deliberations tomorrow in his involuntary manslaughter trial, Dr. Conrad Murray spent Sunday morning at an L.A. church service.

An eyewitness tells E! News exclusively that Murray, along with his girlfriend Nicole Alvarez, attended the 11 a.m. worship service at West Angeles Church on Crenshaw Boulevard. But during the sermon, Murray apparently felt like he had to run.

At one rather spirited point in the service, Murray got up from his seat and "ran around the church" with friends after the minister urged churchgoers who needed "a change in their life" to get up and run around the sanctuary.

"He had his hands up in the air and did a lap," says our eyewitness.

Later, at a more solemn moment during the altar call, Murray spoke at the altar privately with the pastor, Rev. John White, who reportedly gave Murray some words of wisdom and encouragement.

"You can have Hollywood, but who you really need is Jesus. So if you have Jesus and Hollywood, you've got it going on," he told Murray. "So if you chase Jesus, he will make the spotlight come on you. And guess what, when you get up there, you won't come tumbling down in the news. I speak to you, sir: The word of God can wipe the slate clean."

Murray was upbeat and energetic, clapping along with the congregation throughout the service.

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