Evidence Rulings and Incriminating Statements Made Conrad Murray's Case a Losing Battle
Conrad Murray didn’t help his case when he made incriminating statements to detectives about the death of pop star Michael Jackson.
During the police interview, the physician admitted he treated Jackson’s insomnia with the powerful sedative propofol, admitted giving Jackson the drug on the night of his death, and admitted he left his patient alone while he used the bathroom, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter on Monday. Lawyers asked to comment on the case tell the Los Angeles Times that the defense faced a series of insurmountable obstacles that included Murray’s statements. Another major roadblock: Court rulings that limited evidence supporting the theory that Jackson had given himself a fatal dose of propofol.
Judge Michael Pastor of Los Angeles County refused to allow more than a dozen defense witnesses to testify about Jackson’s stress and drug use, the Daily Beast previously reported. The judge said the evidence didn’t go to the issues of whether Murray acted recklessly or with criminal negligence. Even if Jackson injected himself with the fatal dose, prosecutors argued, Murray was guilty because he delayed calling 911 and didn’t tell doctors about the propofol, the LA Times says.
According to the Daily Beast’s September article, “There are already whispers that the judge’s restrictions on witnesses could make an appeals point for Murray’s team.”
