Murray looked at both of his attorneys before he told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, "My decision is I will not testify in this matter."
Pastor informed Murray of his constitutional right to take the stand, but Murray acknowledged that he was willingly giving up his right to testify.
Heading into court on Tuesday, Michael Jackson's father, Joe, said he had hoped Murray would take the stand.
The pop star's sister, La Toya, told reporters outside the courthouse she, too, wanted to hear from Murray.
"I wanted him to talk, I really did. I wanted him to testify," she said.
The prosecution and defense rested their case Tuesday after 22 days of testimony. Jurors were ordered to return at 9 a.m. Thursday for further proceedings and closing arguments.
Earlier in the morning, Dr. Paul White was back on the stand to conclude his testimony. The propofol expert was the last witness for the defense.
It was earlier reported that another doctor would testify after White, but the defense decided it was not necessary to call another doctor to the stand.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren recalled the prosecution's propofol expert, Dr. Steven Shafer, to address a few points raised by earlier testimony.
White took a beating from prosecutors and the judge on Monday. Walgren got him to testify that Murray had violated the standard of care, and White also testified that he would never have given Jackson propofol as a sleep aid.
White introduced a new angle on how Jackson could have given himself propofol, saying the syringe could have been filled with 50 milligrams of propofol. Murray told police he gave the pop star 25 milligrams, but White argued that Jackson could have administered the other half when Murray stepped away.
But White landed himself in trouble for making statements not based on evidence presented in the trial, including one about Jackson's supply of propofol.
"Who's responsible for bringing propofol into Michael Jackson's home, in your opinion?" Walgren asked.
"Well, Conrad Murray certainly purchased propofol, but I understand Mr. Jackson had his own supply as well," White said."Where is that in the police interview by Conrad Murray?" Walgren said.
Pastor had warned White outside the jury's presence to stop intentionally mentioning information gathered in private conversations he had with Murray. White later responded to a question posed by Walgren with, "I'd like to talk to you about this, but the judge told me I couldn't."Pastor said he considered that remark direct contempt of court and fined him $1,000. White was ordered to appear at a contempt hearing on Nov. 16.
Murray is on trial for involuntary manslaughter for Jackson's sudden death on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. Prosecutors allege Murray tried to hide the fact that he had been giving propofol to Jackson.
Murray, 58, has pleaded not guilty and has denied any wrongdoing. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison and lose his medical license.
View photos from the involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray.
