Did $150K-a-Month Doc Administer Drug that Caused Michael Jackson's Death?
As Michael Jackson’s personal physician went on trial in Los Angeles this week for involuntary manslaughter in the pop icon’s death from a drug overdose, observers around the globe suddenly knew a lot more about him.
A photo, apparently of Jackson lying dead on a hospital gurney, and a recording of the singer’s slow, slurred, seemingly sedated voice as he talked about a comeback concert tour painted a sad picture of a world-famous celebrity as the trial began yesterday.
The central question, according to the Telegraph, is whether the toxic mix of a fast-acting intravenous anesthetic and other drugs found to have caused or contributed to his death were administered by Jackson’s $150,000-a-month personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, or, as the defense claims, by Jackson himself in a desperate bid to get some much-needed “sleep.”
The prosecution says Murray caused Jackson’s death by administering an intravenous anesthetic called propofol that ordinarily is used only in a hospital setting, according to the Daily Mail.
Frustrated by Murray’s refusal to give him the propofol that he sought on June 25, 2009, Jackson helped himself to a “perfect storm” toxic combination of eight Lorazepam pills at the same time that he injected himself with propofol, attorney Ed Chernoff, who represents Murray, told the Los Angeles Superior Court jury.
“He died so fast he did not even have time to close his eyes.” Chernoff said of Jackson.
Today’s testimony has focused on Murray’s negotiations concerning his contract to act as Jackson’s personal physician. Attorney Kathy Jorrie, who drafted the contract for concert promoter AEG Live, said the physician repeatedly said at the time that his famous patient was in excellent health, reports the Los Angeles Times.
The Associated Press, CNN, the CNN Justice blog and the Media Decoder blog of the New York Times also have stories.
The Los Angeles Times links to live video of the trial and the Telegraph is live-blogging the trial.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Michael Jackson’s Death a Homicide”
ABAJournal.com: “Michael Jackson Doc to Be Tried for Involuntary Manslaughter in Singer’s Death”
ABAJournal.com: “Lloyd’s of London Sues to Void $17.5M Insurance Policy for Michael Jackson Concerts”
ABAJournal.com: “Trial of Michael Jackson’s Doctor Could Decide Insurance Coverage for Canceled ‘This Is It’ Concert”
