Crime & Safety

Prosecutor: Conrad Murray Violated Doctor/Patient Relationship

Michael Jackson's personal physician was negligent in his treatment of the singer by repeatedly giving him a powerful anesthetic, violating a "hallowed'' doctor- patient relationship in the name of money, prosecutor said.

Michael Jackson's personal physician acted with criminal negligence in his treatment of the pop superstar by repeatedly giving him a powerful anesthetic in his bedroom, violating a "hallowed'' doctor- patient relationship in the name of money and ultimately killing the entertainer, a prosecutor told jurors today.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the evidence in this case is overwhelming,'' Deputy District Attorney David Walgren told the jury during his closing argument in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's June 25, 2009, death from an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

The evidence "is abundantly clear that Conrad Murray acted with criminal negligence, that Conrad Murray caused the death of Michael Jackson, that Conrad Murray left Prince, Paris and Blanket without a father,'' Walgren said, referring to the singer's three children. "For them, this case doesn't end today or tomorrow or the next day. For Michael's children, this case will go on forever because they do not have a father. They do not have a father because of the actions of Conrad Murray.''

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The 58-year-old cardiologist, who served his residency at Loma Linda University, faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the felony charge stemming from Jackson's death at age 50 on June 25, 2009.

Prosecutors allege Murray gave the singer a fatal intravenous dose of propofol, then spent about 45 minutes on the phone or sending emails instead of monitoring him. Jackson, who was in Los Angeles rehearsing for a series of 50 concerts in London dubbed "This Is It,'' died from acute propofol intoxication.

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In his opening statement, lead defense attorney Edward Chernoff said the evidence would show Jackson "self-administered a dose of propofol'' after Murray left the bedroom at Jackson's rented Holmby Hills estate, which "created a perfect storm'' and "killed him instantly.''

Murray told police he only left Jackson's side for about two minutes to use the bathroom after giving the singer a 25-milligram dose of propofol that was slowly infused over three to five minutes beginning at about 10:40 a.m.

But the prosecution presented telephone records that showed telephone calls made to and from Murray's two cellular phones in the hours leading up to Jackson's death, including a 32-minute call made from one of Murray's cell phones to his Las Vegas office and an 11-minute call to Sade Anding, a Texas cocktail waitress who prosecutors believe was talking with Murray when he discovered Jackson was not breathing.

In his closing argument, Walgren told jurors that Murray violated the patient-doctor relationship by giving in to Jackson's insistence that he be administered propofol to help combat his insomnia.

"The doctor is the decision-maker,'' the prosecutor said. "The doctor is the one entrusted with the medical knowledge. ... (The doctor) at the end of the day makes the decision what is proper medical care.''

Walgren noted that two defense witnesses, Dr. Allan Metzger and nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee, both testified that they refused Jackson's request for propofol or other intravenous sleep aids, saying it was too dangerous to be administered in a bedroom setting. They refused "because they believe and acted in accordance with their belief that a doctor has an obligation ... to first do no harm to their patient.''

"Conrad Murray violated that sacred trust each and every day. Each and every day, Conrad Murray violated that sacred trust premised on that hallowed relationship between a doctor and a patient,'' Walgren said.

"... It was an employer-employee relationship. Conrad Murray sought payment for services rendered -- services rendered being the provision of propofol to Michael Jackson in his bedroom on a nightly basis for almost two months,'' he said, adding later that Murray was being paid $150,000 a month for his care of the singer.

The relationship between Jackson and Murray was "not for proper medical care, not for the sake of doing no harm, but an employer-employee relationship for services rendered,'' he said. "This relationship of trust that is so important between a doctor and a patient, was grossly corrupted by the actions of Conrad Murray.

"Michael Jackson trusted Conrad Murray. He trusted him with his life. He trusted him with his own individual life and the future lives of his children. ... But Conrad Murray corrupted that relationship, and for that, Michael Jackson paid with his life.''

Chernoff was expected to deliver his closing argument later today.

Walgren told jurors how Jackson had dreams for the future, both for himself and his children. He noted that the singer had expressed his desire to make enough money from the "This Is It'' concert tour to settle down in a permanent home for his family, and no longer live like "vagabonds.''

"Michael had hopes and plans and dreams,'' he said. "... But we also know, as we heard from multiple witnesses, that what was paramount to Michael were his three children. And his dreams and hopes were intertwined with those same dreams and hopes that he aspired for his three kids.

"... But none of this came to be. None of these dreams, hopes, aspirations or desires came to be. Because on June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson, just 50 years old, was pronounced dead. We know and we will discuss the circumstances of that death. We know and will discuss how Paris had to come in and see her father in that condition and scream out "Daddy' as she broke down in tears. How Prince had a shocked face, shocked look on his face, and was crying.

"That's what the actions of Conrad Murray did. Not just to Michael Jackson, but to his children.''

By Terri Vermeulen Keith, City News Service


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