Opening Statements in Case Against Michael Jackson's Doctor Begin Today
Screengrab/KTLA
The King of Pop died over two years ago on June 25, 2009, and the trial investigating his death finally begins in the downtown courthouse in Los Angeles today. Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, is accused of involuntary manslaughter after allegedly giving Jackson a fatal dose of propofol mixed with other sedatives.
A jury of seven men and five women hold Murray's fate in their hands and are expected to hear five weeks of testimony with opening statements beginning Tuesday morning. On Friday myFoxla released snippets of information on each juror, and this morning L.A. Now released similar details.
Kenny Ortega, the producer of Jackson's "This Is It" tour, is scheduled as the prosecution's first witness, according to CBS LA. CBS2's legal analyst Steve Meister believes the key witness will be the forensic pathologist.
Tom Mesereau, Jackson's former attorney, says the prosecution must school the jury on propofol and the fact that it's not like regular prescription medicine. “Every doctor I’ve talked to was shocked it was in a home, not to mention you didn’t have trained personnel and you didn’t have the proper equipment,” Mesereau said. “The prosecution must explain how outrageous it was to have this powerful drug in the home.”
Mesereau continued to explain Murray's involvement and wrongdoing.
“The thing that seems very incriminating to me is that apparently this doctor, a physician in charge of Michael Jackson’s health, never told the paramedics at the scene about propofol; never told the police at the scene about propofol,” he added. “Then he went to the hospital where they were trying to revive Michael Jackson and he still didn’t mention propofol. To me, that indicates consciousness of guilt.”
Jackson's mother, brothers and sisters will be present for today's opening statements and first witness. His children, however, are not expected to attend the trial or testify, according to a source close to Katherine Jackson, reports CNN.
The judge previously rejected a motion to show a video that the defense claims will show that Jackson was under the influence and debilitated months before his death. Also rejected was a video of Jackson's final "This Is It" rehearsals that the prosecution says shows the performer as healthy, confident and engaged in the days preceding his death. Additionally, the judge rejected a motion to admit evidence showing that Murray ignored law enforcement requests for extended interviews in the days following Jackson's death.
