The Trial of Conrad Murray By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photos: Getty Images, HSN, www.zimbio.com
We are once again reminded of the tragic death of the ‘King of Pop’ as Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009, is finally brought to trial in a Los Angeles courtroom. This is a highly publicized trial as was expected.
The world will be taken into the bedroom where it all happened, hear the eerie 911 calls, feel the chaos that overtook the room and listen to haunting testimony of those closest to Jackson.
Perhaps the most startling evidence is a side by side picture of Michael Jackson on June 24th, 2009 actively rehearsing and performing one of his songs for the upcoming ‘This is It’ tour as we all remember him and then directly next to the picture is another picture of a lifeless figure on a bed totally out cold.
Michael Jackson was preparing a colossal comeback with his ‘This is It’ tour. It would be followed by 4 or 5 movies including a 3D version of the million dollar seller, ‘Thriller’. His schedule was rigorous and in order to keep up, he desperately needed to get sleep which was an absolute impossibility with his constant insomnia. Michael had always been plagued with memories of his past and some say he had a strong addiction to painkillers that ultimately caused his demise. His family tried to intervene before it was too late but to no avail.
In walks Dr. Conrad Murray who must now prove his innocence in a situation gone badly awry. As defense attorney, Ed Chernoff, described how Murray and Jackson met, the doctor broke down and wiped away tears with a handkerchief.
Opening statements made by the defense attorney, Ed Chernoff, were certainly very impressionable:
Could Michael Jackson have killed himself with a lethal combination of 8 2mg pills of Lorazepam in addition to what defense is calling a self-injection of Propofol? Jackson forced Murray, a practicing cardiologist, to administer the Propofol on a daily basis to help him sleep. This continued for two months without incidence and when Murray tried to wean Jackson off the drug, Jackson administered it to himself that fateful day. Defense is convinced that science will prove that there had to be more Propofol delivered to M.J.’s system after Dr. Murray felt comfortable with his vital signs and left the room for a few brief moments. Jackson’s stomach had four times the amount of Lorazepam than in his blood, meaning he had to swallow the drug himself. The star just did not know when to stop.
Could Michael have died so suddenly and so instantly that he did not even have time to close his eyes?
However, Prosecutor David Walgren tells a much different story. Murray was negligent for leaving the room and thus displaying gross negligence. There was no written consent from Jackson for permission to administer the drug and his vital signs were not taken or documented on that particular day.
It has been speculated that Murray knew that Jackson was dead but panicked and was in a frenzied mindset. So far, two days of testimony has painted a chaotic scene that afternoon with Murray calling Michael Williams, M.J.’s personal assistant, and telling him to come quick because Michael had a bad reaction. Murray frantically tried to improperly administer CPR to Jackson on the bed and with one hand while the children, Prince and Paris, were witness to the dreadful display. Paris was balled up on the floor crying and Prince was speechless and on the verge of tears.
The security guard, Alberto Alvarez, has testified that it was not unusual for Murray to administer the sleep sedative but at that particular point, the doctor was sweating and nervous and gave instructions that he wanted the vials and bags of Propofol on the nightstand to be put in a plastic bag and then double bagged in a brown bag and removed before authorities entered the room.
There was definitely some disturbing evidence presented that gives you a glimpse at the Pop star as a very troubled soul. A recording of a drugged Jackson, prior to the day of his death, slurring his words and describing how he wanted his tour to be so successful, has been played repeatedly. We are presented a photo of a disheveled room where it all took place. An IV bag is held up as part of the questioning of the security guard.
Members of the family will most likely be brought to the stand to testify and there is word that Michael’s son, Prince, might be questioned as well. The family holds steadfast to their belief of how the events unfolded and what they believe happened.
This is only the beginning of a very emotional and heart-wrenching trial of a doctor accused of killing not only a pop legend but a very much loved son, brother and first and foremost, a loved father.
Complete coverage of the Conrad Murray trial continues live on HLN and on ‘In Session’, 9 to 3 weekdays. Apple now has a streaming app for purchase on I-Tunes of the trial which has become one of their best selling apps in the last couple of days.
Justice will surely prevail in the end.
Comments are closed.