The Michael Jackson wrongful death lawsuit started yesterday with prosecutors telling jurors that Jackson was killed by his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. They claimed he used a dangerous anesthetic and botched recovery efforts when he found Michael unconscious.
Murray’s attorneys claimed that Jackson caused his own death by taking propofol after his doctor left the room. They tried to explain that MJ made a “desperate attempt to overcome his chronic inability to sleep.” They also said that there’s nothing Dr. Murray could have done would have saved MJ because he was desperate to try to get rest while he got ready for his comeback concerts.
The jury also saw pictures and heard audio recordings that included a photo of a lifeless Jackson on a hospital gurney and a recording of Jackson talking to Murray while he was under the influence six weeks before his death.
His speech was heavily slurred. He told the doctor: “We have to be phenomenal. When people leave this show, when people leave my show, I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. Go. Go. I’ve never seen nothing like this. Go. It’s amazing. He’s the greatest entertainer in the world.”
Murray is accused of giving Jackson propofol in his bedroom, but his lawyers say Jackson gave himself the fatal dose by swallowing pills of the sedative lorazepam that was enough to put six people to sleep. They also claim Jackson self-ingested propofol and it killed him instantly.
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.
If Dr. Murray is convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.
