Murray says he won't testify in Jackson death trial
November 1st, 2011
01:22 PM ET

Murray says he won't testify in Jackson death trial

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Dr. Conrad Murray, who is facing involuntary manslaughter charges in the death of Michael Jackson, will not testify in the case, he told the court in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave Murray until the start of court Tuesday to decide whether he would testify since it is likely to be the last day for testimony in the trial.

The prosecution contends that Murray's use of the surgical anesthetic propofol to treat Jackson's insomnia in his home deviated from the standards of care expected of a doctor so egregiously that it was criminal.

The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson's June 25, 2009, death was the result of "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with several sedatives.

The prosecution contends greed led Murray to leave his medical practice and put his ethics aside to serve as Jackson's private doctor for $150,000 a month.

Prosecutors contend Murray is responsible for his death even if he did not give him the final and fatal dose because he was criminally reckless in using the surgical anesthetic to help Jackson sleep without proper precautions.

The defense theory is that a desperate Jackson, fearing his comeback concerts could be canceled unless he found elusive sleep, self-administered propofol that Murray was trying to wean him off of.

The defense contends Jackson became addicted to the painkiller Demerol through frequent visits to the Beverly Hills dermatology clinic of Dr. Arnold Klein in the months before his death. Murray was unaware of the addiction, and therefore unable to understand why he could not help Jackson sleep, the defense contends.

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Filed under: Conrad Murray • Courts • Crime • Justice
soundoff (81 Responses)
  1. Joey Isotta-Fraschini

    The economic crisis in Europe is bad for the same reason that it is bad in the USA.
    It is bad because of the way that citizens–primarily citizens of the USA–think (or don't).
    It started soon after Marx published.

    November 1, 2011 at 6:35 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Prez

    Dr CM is first a big liar and that may be y he refuses to testify on stand. Do u still remember the OJ Simpson case. If u recall even OJ wanted to testify on stand to clear his name but his lawyers advised him not to. So is OJ guilty.Maybe not. Dr CM won`t take the stand in his own defense. Can u draw a parallel between the two high profile cases involving murder? I can! Dr CM is guilty from every angle. All arrows point to him. There r a lot of questions I could ask him that he can`t answer but not to worry MJ because the truth will b exposed. Dr CM will have to pay a huge price for his action or his inactions for not exercising better judgment in his profession. His family, fans and the world has lost a true man, humanitarian. and an outstanding performer. God rest your soul. RIP MJ. You`re in Gods Hands now. It`s all good!

    November 1, 2011 at 7:15 pm | Report abuse |
  3. taj

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7tCLWu3ByI

    November 1, 2011 at 10:08 pm | Report abuse |
  4. cigarman

    As I have said before, Dr. Murray, NOT GUILTY. MICHAEL JACKSON, GUILTY OF MUCH.

    November 2, 2011 at 11:49 am | Report abuse |
  5. Mary Davis

    I was a fan since childhood. I also know that after that concert where his hair caught fire, was the beginning of his drug
    addiction. Michael needed rehab. None of the family got him there. Michael had an addiction from that time on. Conrad Murray
    isn't the only doctor who should be to blame. There were countless doctors who gained financial status from Michael's need for
    the drugs.Only God knows what truly happened. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Jackson family. I know that
    Michael is in the heavens playing for the angels and singing for our Lord Jesus Christ. God Bless You All!

    November 12, 2011 at 9:00 pm | Report abuse |
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