Day 8: Photo of Michael Jackson’s Body Revealed During Murray Trial

By: Shani K. Collins, Your Black World

The involuntary manslaughter trail of Dr. Conrad Murray resumes today and is expected to continue for one month. The list of highlights from the ongoing trial grows each day.  CNN reports that numerous bottles of the surgical anesthetic, propofol were found in Jackson’s home. 

 

Arguing that Murray was reckless and negligent in providing care to Jackson, the prosecution noted that “a saline bag was cut open, holding an empty 100 ml propofol bottle inside.”  These items are thought to have been used to create a makeshift IV drip to administer propofol to Jackson.

The day of Jackson’s death, 7 bottles of medications were found on the nightstand adjacent to Jackson’s bed, including one lorazepam pill that Murray prescribed to Jackson; 12 bottles of propofol were found in the bedroom; and an empty vial was found on the floor next to the bed.

The defense argues that Jackson caused his own death by “swallowing eight lorazepam pills and orally ingesting propofol while Murray was out of the room.” It was also revealed that Murray served in multiple roles; he dealt with Jackson’s British insurance company as they threatened to cancel his coverage because the singer was photographed at various times using a wheelchair.  In an email to Dr. Murray, an insurance agent argued that Jackson was a liability as he “suffered a back injury, lupus, emphysema and cancer.”

Murray shot down the claims and said: “Let me say they’re all fallacious to the best of my knowledge.”  However, in 2008, he diagnosed Jackson with anxiety and insomnia, and prescribed valium and Xanax to him.

Another interesting aspect of the trial included the showing a photo of Jackson’s body on a hospital gurney.  The prosecution showed the image to jurors as a reminder of the seriousness of the case against Dr. Murray.  The reason jurors will sit in court for one month to hear the facts, the prosecution argued, is because Michael Jackson is dead at the hands of Dr. Conrad Murray.

Shani K. Collins is a freelance writer.  You may visit her at www.shanicollins.com