Key defense witnesses will testify Thursday as attorney's for Michael Jackson's personal physician attempt to show that the superstar's actions led to his own death.
Conrad Murray Trial: Testimony Timeline, Propofol Guidelines
An addiction expert and an expert on the powerful sedative Conrad Murray administered to the pop star are expected to testify as the involuntary manslaughter trial winds down. Jurors might begin deliberations early next week.
Defense attorneys will attempt to counter last week's detailed testimony from the prosecution's propofol expert, who sharply criticized Murray's treatment of Jackson and referred to the defense theory that the King of Pop self-administered the drug as "crazy." The defense claims Jackson created a "perfect storm" of medications in his system and self-administered the fatal dose of propfol, usually reserved for surgical settings, when his doctor stepped out of the bedroom June 25, 2009 at a rented Holmby Hills mansion.
That propofol was being administered as a sleep aid at the mansion was just one of Dr. Murray's critical mistakes, according to Dr. Steven Shafer, the prosecution's expert on the drug testified. Shafer also said last week that Murray lacked the proper equipment to monitor his patient.
Shafer had words for Dr. Paul White, the defense's propofol expert who is expected to testify Thursday. Shafer said he was "disappointed" when asked for his opinion on White's suggestion that Jackson died by drinking propofol. It's a theory the defense proposed during opening statements, then abadoned later in the trial.
Jurors also will hear from addiction expert, Dr. Robert Waldman, as the defense tries to provide jurors with enough reasonable doubt about the case against Murray.
Doctor Tears Up as Patients Testify
After weeks of hearing prosecution witnesses call Murray inept and motivated by interests other than the welfare of his superstar patient, a parade of character witnesses took the stand Wednesday to defend a man they characterized as caring.
Patient Ruby Mosley provided that day's most engaging testimony. Mosley was emphatic in her defense of her doctor, bristling at the suggestion he was motivated by money. Defense attorney Ed Chernoff asked Mosley, of Houston, whether she thought Murray was "greedy."
"Do I what?," Mosley asked as she leaned forward in her seat. "No."
She was one of five Murray patients to testify. One credited Murray with saving his life. Another called him loving and compassionate.
"They paraded them very quickly," said legal analyst Ed Navarro. "The second thing is, they're not attacking the breach of the standard of care, which the prosecution did such a good job at with their three final witnesses."
Prosecutors said the issue was not with Murray's care for the patients the defense presented, but with his care for one patient -- Michael Jackson.
Deputy DA David Walgren asked patient Andrew Guest, "I don't mean to be flip about this... but Dr. Murray never gave you propofol in your bedroom, did he?"
"No sir," Andrew Guest responded.
Follow USA LOCAL NEWS for the latest LA news, events and entertainment: Twitter: @USA LOCAL NEWS // Facebook: USA LOCAL NEWS
No comments:
Post a Comment