A concert executive and an attorney representing the company that promoted a series of Michael Jackson comeback concerts testified Wednesday after a stunning day of opening statements in the Conrad Murray trial that included an audio recording of the pop star and an image of Jackson's body on a hospital gurney.
The trial is expected to resume at about 9 a.m. PT. Watch live video here when it becomes available.
Fans of Jackson and supporters of Dr. Murray gathered early Wednesday outside the downtown LA courthouse in which a jury is hearing the involuntary manslaughter case against the King of Pop's personal physician. Murray is accused of administering the anesthetic propofol, then failing to properly monitor Jackson before his June 2009 death at a rented Holmby Hills mansion.
But defense attorneys argued Tuesday that Jackson caused his own death by self-administering drugs that created a "perfect storm" inside his body.
Two concert executives -- Jackson was preparing for a series of London concerts in the days before his death -- testified after Tuesday's opening statements. Testimony from Paul Gongaware, an executive with concert promoter AEG Live, continued Wednesday morning.
Jackson appeared engaged and energetic at his final two rehearsals, Gongaware said.
He was followed by AEG attorney Kathy Jorrie. AEG Live promoted Jackson's "This Is It" comeback concerts.
One of Jackson's bodyguards also is expected to testify Wedneday.
Trial Begins With Stunning Images, Jackson's Voice
During Tuesday's opening statements, prosecutors presented a recording of Jackson from Murray's phone on which a rambling Jackson can be heard talking about his upcoming concerts and his desire to amaze his fans. And, as Jackson's family watched, prosecutors showed an image of Jackson's body on a hospital gurney.
The word "Homicide" was printed above the image.
"We have to be phenomenal,'' Jackson, whose speech was slow and slurred, said on the recording that investigators retrieved from Murray's phone. "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.'"
The prosecution was attempting to show that Murray should have realized there was something seriously wrong with Jackson. Deputy District Attorney David Walgren described Jackson as highly under the influence in the recording.
"That is what Conrad Murray is seeing and observing," said Walgren. "What does he do? On May 12, he orders another shipment of propofol."
In a tweet after Day 1 of the trial, Jackson's brother Jermaine said, "Today has been very distressing for all of us, and I'd like to thank you for your prayers at this horrible time. I would also like to remind some in the media that the voice recording of Michael does not show/prove he was "an addict" -- and this leap to agree with the defense is unfair and inaccurate. The prosecution said my brother "was under the influence of UNKNOWN agents" at the time of that recording by Murray."
"I defended him throughout his criminal trial, and I never heard him speak that way," said attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr., who won Jackson's acquittal in his 2005 molestation case.
Defense attorney Ed Chernoff also pointed out Jackson's drive to please his fans, but said it was that ambition that ultimately prompted him to give himself a fatal dose of medication. The defense claimed Jackson's doctor was trying to wean him off propofol.
"Michael Jackson started begging,'' Chernoff said. "When Michael Jackson told Dr. Murray, 'I have to sleep. They will cancel my performance,' he meant it."
Jackson's mother, Katherine, dabbed her eyes when prosecutors played video of her son rehearsing "Earth Song" at Staples Center in downtown LA. The prosecution's first witness, concert exec Kenny Ortega, testified that he was concerned about Jackson's health and thought he required serious help.
"He was like a lost boy,'' Ortega wrote in an email to promoters five days before Jackson's death. "There may still be a
chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs."
But Murray told him not to play amateur doctor or psychologist, Ortega told the jury.
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