By Pete Allman
On the second day of the court proceedings, Dr. Conrad Murray is accused of killing Pop Icon, Michael Jackson by District Attorney, David Walgren. Mr. Walgren said Standard Care was not used by Dr. Conrad and that it is a gross negligence. Dr. Conrad ordered gallons of Propofol to administer to Jackson, where he gave him daily injections over the amount normally used, several times a day. It's as if he were a dope pusher, according to some fans of Michael Jackson. Propofol is a sedative that is usually administered to patients who are undergoing surgery or other medical procedures.
It is a fast acting drug, with most patients losing consciousness in a matter of seconds.
Michael Jackson was injected daily with Propofol, several times a day by Dr. Murray. There was no Standard of Care. The proper medical equipment such as oxygen, cardiac monitoring devices and not to mention there was no anesthesiologist or nurse present during these injections. This is a total breakdown of hippocratic principles of medical care. In his opening statement, District Attorney David Walgren stated very strongly that Dr. Conrad Murray abandoned all principles of medical care. This gives the district attorney and jury enough evidence for the medical board to revoke Dr. Murray's license.
Furthermore, Dr. Murray took a life. A four year sentence is hardly the case here. Involuntary manslaughter should carry a much longer sentence, perhaps 30 years.
The defense lawyers for Murray, Ed Chernoff and his co counselors, Nareg Gourian and J. Meshad Flanigan argued that Jackson had taken drugs prior to being administered Propofol the night of Jackson's death on June 25, 2010. They also brought into evidence Dr. Arnold Klien, a Beverly Hills dermatologist who they said was partly responsible for Jackson's death. Dr. Klein issued Demerol to Jackson on a regular basis. His withdrawal from that Demerol addiction was what kept Jackson awake despite Murray's efforts to put him to sleep with sedatives. Michael Amir Williams who worked for Jackson the last two years of his life was asked by defense lawyer Ed Chernoff whether he went to Klein's office with Jackson.
"At a certain point, it was very regular," Williams said.
Chernoff then asked Williams whether he heard Jackson talk slowly with slurred speech, as he did on an audio recording played in court Tuesday.
"Not that extreme, but I have heard him talk slow before," Williams said.
One of the endearing thoughts about the loss of Michael Jackson came from Gloria Rhoads Berlin, Michael Jackson's friend and real estate broker.
"I've known Michael since he was 12 years old. He gave unselfishly in helping people of all walks of life internationally. Michael was kind, intelligent, and a multi talented person. He believed in the good of mankind."
Berlin is the author of "In Search of Neverland," the story of her friendship with Michael Jackson and how she found him Neverland, where he built his paradise. She is making the book into a feature film. According to her, Jackson's positive life and how he inspired people will be revealed in the movie.
Jackson's security guard Faheem Muhammad, who often drove Jackson, followed Williams on the witness stand Wednesday afternoon.
"There were times he would go almost every day to Klein's office and Jackson would often appear intoxicated when he left," Muhammad testified.
Jackson once told Muhammad that his frequent trips to the dermatologist were for treatment for a skin disease.
"My doctors tell me that I have to go, so I go," Muhammad said Jackson told him.
Pete Allman is a Las Vegas-based commentator, broadcast personality and celebrity interviewer. He also produces inspirational messages for television and other media. Contact him at peteonthescene@yahoo.com or (702)265-9099. Visit www.CelebrityScene.com
