MICHAEL JACKSON’S FORMER doctor Conrad Murray has today gone on trial in Los Angeles, accused of killing the pop star in an act of “involuntary manslaughter”.
Jurors heard the pop star’s slurred words while he was on a powerful anaesthetic, caught on tape weeks before his death. They also saw a photo of his pale body lying on a gurney after he died from an overdose of a powerful anesthetic, during opening statements by prosecutors.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren described Jackson as “highly under the influence” when speaking with Murray in May 2009. The singer is heard slurring his words and barely audible, saying he wanted to impress those who watched his upcoming comeback concerts.
“When people leave my show, I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life,’” the voice on the recording says.
On June 25, 2009, Jackson died of an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol.
“What happened during that time frame is that the acts and omissions of Michael Jackson’s personal doctor Conrad Murray directly led to his premature death at age 50,” Walgren told jurors.
He said Jackson trusted Murray as his physician. “That misplaced trust in Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life,” Walgren said.
A number of Jackson’s family members were in the courthouse, including his father Joseph, mother Katherine, sisters LaToya and Janet, and brothers Jermaine, Randy and Tito. LaToya Jackson carried a sunflower, Michael’s favorite flower.
Murray arrived holding hands with his mother.
Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and he and his attorneys have denied he gave Jackson anything that should have killed the pop superstar. Defense attorneys will present an alternate theory — that Jackson ingested or somehow gave himself the fatal dose.
Watch: Jackon’s family arriving at the courthouse
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