In what is shaping up to be one of the most sensational trials in U.S. history, Michael Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray is on trial for the death of the iconic pop star.
The trail began on Tuesday in a courtroom in downtown Los Angeles on September 27. Fans from all over the world convened at the site and even held a vigil in a prayer circle. Jackson’s family was also in attendance and images of the King of Pop were seen all around the courthouse grounds — including posters that Jackson fans waved for a throng of news crews. There was even a Jackson impersonator prowling halls of the courthouse.
As the trial began the audience was narrowed down to an audience of 12 Jurors who heard and watched clips of Jackson singing and dancing in rehearsals two days before his death.
It was the audio recording of Jackson’s voic
e that seemed to have the most emotional impact and brought Jackson’s presence back to those in attendance. Both Murray and Jackson’s mother broke down and were seen weeping during the playback of the performer’s voice and other materials as various performances and audio tapes were introduced by the defense, who had not previously disclosed that the recordings were to be used in their opening statements. Jackson’s voice echoed hauntingly through the packed courtroom in a low mumbling voice: “I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life. He’s the greatest entertainer of all time.’” As Jackson’s mother, Katherine, looked on tearfully, the prosecutor said the recording showed the doctor knew “Michael’s state” and continued procuring drugs for him. “Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray,” Deputy Dist. Att
y. David Walgren said. “That misplaced trust cost Michael Jackson his life.”
Jackson died from an overdose of propofol on June 25, 2009. Midazolam and several other sedatives were also found in his system.
Dr. Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, is on trial for manslaughter and accused of killing Jackson by providing him with the dangerous anesthetics. Walgren told jurors that Dr. Murray “acted as an employee. He did not act as a medical professional using sound medical judgment.â€
As the second day of the trial got underway on Wednesday new witnesses including Jackson’s personal assistant Emir Williams and paramedics are expected to provide fresh details on what is sure to be one of the most riveting trials to be held in Los Angeles. In addition to the ongoing procedures, Jackson’s fans and family have an acute interest in finding out more details about the death of one of the most exciting and popular performers in pop music history.
I anticipate that this trial will be very controversial.
On one end we are dealing with an icon, who admittedly and sadly enough was addicted to various sedatives and painkillers, which of course brought him to a point where almost nothing was enough to make him go to sleep. Why is that so unusual? It is a medical fact.
On the other hand, he was facing a huge tour, and knowing Michael’s perfectionist approach to his art, he did want to do his best, which he himself expressed even under sedation. Therefore, he badly needed the sleep to be able to perform, which justified clearly that it was not the time to start withdrawal and face his addiction. Everyone who has sleep problems, even if not as serious as Jackson’s was, knows that once all options for sleep aids have been exhausted, there is very little left any doctor can do in the ordinary way. The body starts tolerating all types of sleep aids and you simply cannot go to sleep unless some miraculous cocktail of pills do the trick. But even that is usually just temporary and of course can be dangerous.
Was the job of Dr. Murray to get Michael off of these sleep aids, or was his job to get him THROUGH THE CHALLENGES OF THE ADMITTEDLY LARGE TOUR? It’s the latter. That is why he was hired. I would not be surprised if the plan would have been that which it seemed: “This is it,†said Jackson, knowing and announcing that he will NOT perform more. At which time (after the tour) Dr. Murray or someone else could have started withdrawing him? Which I am sure was his intention too somewhere down the line. Nobody can go on living sleepless. That is pure torture! Just looking at his history, he did realize he had a problem as he was in rehab before. Yet, he needed to get through the tour! It is really a catch 22! I do not know if this very fact is being looked at at all. But, in my opinion it should, – because this is the reality of the story!
Now, could have Michael Jackson afforded rehab BEFORE the tour? A lengthy series of concerts of a lifetime (in the sense that he was saying goodbye), which concert however mainly was put on to ease his financial burdens? No, obviously not. Otherwise, they would have done just that! Michael’s financial pressure alone may have contributed to a great degree, if not to the largest degree, to his insomnia. So, he almost had no choice but do the tour! Couple that with other factors and you are looking at a performer who is watched by the whole world in anticipation of a miraculous tour, and the performance of a legend that has sold out in “minutes†way ahead of time! Under these circumstances he simply MUST perform! If any of us cannot sleep for a few nights here and there it is painful enough all by itself, but we do not need to stand up in front of billions to look perfect and give the performance of a lifetime, which is what Michael wanted! How could he have achieved that without medical help in his fragile condition?
This trial is a very, very sad necessity in the sense that yes, we need to know what happened! But, everyone was up against the wall in a situation that could be best described as: could have, should have, would have… And, the question still remains: what would have been the right thing to do? Cancel the tour due to Jackson’s frail health and go to rehab? Or, give it his last best and resolve his constant financial burden so that he can finally gain peace of mind and somewhat get to go to sleep through some serious rehab? Only Michael Jackson could answer that! I do not believe that this tragic situation will produce answers in a courtroom because Michael is not among us any longer to tell us what he felt and what he needed! And, none of us can decide that for him!
