Michael Jackson's fans joy after the guilty verdict

On Monday, there were hugs, tears and shrieks of joy among his fans packed outside a Southern California courtroom after a jury found Conrad Murray guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

"Oh my God, guilty!" one woman yelled out, seconds after the verdict was announced.

Others appeared to almost break out in song; some seemed to start dancing; and a chant soon rose up of "Justice, justice, justice."

Inside Los Angeles Superior Court, Judge Michael Pastor earlier urged people to constrain their emotions.

But there were no such restrictions outside.

Hundreds had packed the streets and sidewalks earlier in the day anticipating a verdict. Many held signs calling for Murray's conviction, like one saying, "Murray, burn in hell." A long banner held out by several people had a message saying: "We miss Michael."

They were joined by throngs of photographers and videographers. Many flanked a walkway to the courtroom, their flashbulbs popping as Jackson family members, lawyers and others hurriedly walked into the courthouse to learn Murray's fate.

When the jury decided in the prosecution's favor, the emotions spilled over on the streets as people yelled out, burst into tears and smiled.

"I'm so happy," one woman, who traveled to California from Memphis, Tennessee, told HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell outside the courthouse. "Michael deserves justice."

The reaction was equally swift and emotional online and outside Los Angeles.

On social networking sites like Twitter, the reaction was likewise fast, furious and emotional.

"Next time don't be so greedy Conrad Murray! Guilty!" wrote one such commenter on Twitter, former MTV VJ and hip-hop personality Ed Lover.

John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of Jackson's estate, released a statement on Michaeljackson.com in which they lauded the verdict and remembered the deceased as "the greatest entertainer that has ever lived."

"The Estate of Michael Jackson and Michael himself has always believed the jury system works and despite the tragedy that brought about this trial we are in agreement with the jury's verdict," they wrote. " In this case, justice has been served."

MJFS - CNN