Prosecutors in the trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician might wrap up their case Wednesday with more testimony from an expert on the powerful surgical sedative propofol.
Conrad Murray Trial: Who's Who, Coroner's Report, Testimony Timeline
Dr. Steven Shafer is expected to resume testimony in Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial at 8:45 a.m. PT. Shafer began testifying Friday, but court was not in session Monday and Tuesday because of the death of Shafer's father.
In court papers filed late last month, prosecutors wrote that the Columbia University professor had strong words about Murray's care of Jackson. Prosecutors wrote that Shafer said "there is almost nothing in Murray's care of Michael Jackson that reflected the actions of a trained physician."
Other medical experts have echoed that accusation during the trial.
A cardiologist testified last week that Murray's treatment of Jackson, especially the administration of the powerful anesthetic propofol, before the superstar's death deviated from general standards. During the trial's first week, a medical equipment executive said Murray lacked the proper monitoring equipment for the administration of propofol.
Shafer is likely to provide more details about the drugs in Jackson's system on the day he died, June 25, 2009. Murray is accused of administering the fatal dose of propofol, a drug usually used in a surgical setting, then failing to properly monitor his superstar patient.
Defense attorneys claim Murray left Jackson's side for just a couple of minutes. The doctor told investigators during an interview two days after Jackson's death that he was trying to wean Jackson off the drug the pop star called his "milk."
The drug was administered after a restless night during which Jackson pleaded for something to help him sleep, Murray told investigators.
Toxicological testing done by the coroner's office determined that Jackson's death was caused by acute propofol intoxication, with "benzodiazepene effect'' as a contributing condition, a deputy medical examiner testified last week.
If prosecutors wrap up their case Wednesday, the defense might begin its case Friday. Jurors will have Thursday off because of scheduling issues.
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