With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Sleep Expert Says Giving Michael Jackson Propofol was 'Inconceivable'

Right before Michael Jackson died, he allegedly consumed three drugs: propofol, lorazepam and midazolam. The cocktail was reportedly administered to help the singer sleep.
But experts who are being called as witnesses in the trial of Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor at the time of his death, said that using those medications to treat a sleep disorder is "inconceivable."
During questioning by the prosecution yesterday, CNN reports that sleep expert Dr. Nader Kamangar told the court that giving a patient propofol, which is a surgery-grade anaesthetic, outside of a hospital and without monitoring equipment nearby is "nothing we would even really conceive of doing."
According to LA Now, Kamangar also said, "It's kind of beyond a departure of standard of care to something that we would never even fathom."
The defense has argued that Jackson may have administered the propofol himself, but cardiologist Alon Steinberg, who was also called to the witness stand as an expert, said that even if that were the case, Murray would have been at fault for making the drugs accessible to Jackson while the singer was sedated.
"It's like leaving a baby that's sleeping on your kitchen countertop," Steinberg said. "You look at it and it's probably going to be OK and you're just going to go grab some diapers or go to the bathroom, but you would never do it."
According to My FOX LA, Murray was being paid $150,000 a month to care for Jackson during the singer's "This Is It" tour. He was allegedly brought on after he let another doctor use his office to administer propofol to Jackson for six hours.
Murray is being charged with involuntary manslaughter.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

-
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious.
-
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
-
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places.
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
-
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump.