Michael Jackson caused his own death, Dr. Conrad Murray's defense says

By: Camille Mann
Topics: Daily Blotter

Conrad Murray in Los Angeles Superior Court during his manslaughter trial, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2011

(Credit: CBS)

(CBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - A lawyer for Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged in the death of Michael Jackson, says the pop superstar caused his own death.

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Video: Dr. Conrad Murray manslaughter trial begins

Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told jurors in his opening argument Tuesday that Jackson, of his own accord, swallowed several lorazepam pills on the morning of his death and that was enough to put people to sleep.

He also claimed Jackson self-ingested the anesthetic propofol, creating a "perfect storm in his body" that killed him instantly.

Chernoff told jurors it was not their job to determine whether Murray was a good doctor. He said Murray and Jackson were actually friends and Murray was trying to wean Jackson off of propofol. Jackson, however, took a lethal dose before he died, the lawyer said.

At times during Chernoff's opening statement Murray appeared to be crying and wiped his eyes with a tissue.

The defense's remarks came after more than an hour of opening arguments by prosecutors who laid out their case against the Houston-based cardiologist with a multimedia presentation which featured an audio recording Murray made of Jackson under the influence of propofol, and an image of the pop star's pale body lying on a gurney after he died from an overdose on the drug on June 25, 2009.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and he and his attorneys have denied he gave Jackson anything that should have killed the pop superstar.

A number of Jackson's family members were in the courthouse for opening arguments, including his father Joseph, mother Katherine, sisters LaToya and Janet, and brothers Jermaine, Randy, and Tito.

LaToya Jackson carried a sunflower, Michael's favorite flower.

Murray arrived holding hands with his mother. If convicted, he faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license.

Complete coverage of the Michael Jackson - Dr. Conrad Murray case on Crimesider

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Who's who in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray

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by abrewer47 September 29, 2011 3:57 PM EDT

The defense attorneys visibly hate their client. The older attorney gives Dr Murray looks of hate and disgust. Do they want the jury to see that they must say DR is guilty? His defence hates him... Why represent a man you hate so deeply? The doctor looks very sad all alone.

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by Deezignerkid September 30, 2011 3:02 PM EDT: I agree wit chu' he does luk sad and alone' includin lost..


by noname2138 September 28, 2011 6:21 PM EDT: If the doctor is NOT punished, it sends a strong message that its o.k. to be a physician and overdose all addicts without fear of wrongdoing...it doesn't matter who the patient is/was.; Reply to this comment


by mooring7 September 28, 2011 4:27 PM EDT: Michael Jackson equally noted and famous for his amazing talent was also subject to notariety for his questionable behavior with respect to children and in my opinion his own disfigurement at the hands of plastic surgeons that he directed to alter his face beyond what would medically be prudent. Dr. Murray had the option as a physician to respectfully decline to take Michael Jackson on as a patient based on any perception he may make regarding a patient's intent to use and abuse drugs. Dr Murray may not have caused the death of Michael Jaackson but it is reasonable to conclude that he reinforced Michaels belief that he could get drugs, use drugs, and abuse drugs because he had the money to keep a Doctor around to keep it legal. If Dr Murray did not get a sense that he was being used for this purpose then his judgement is flawed and he must answer for that at the very least.; Reply to this comment

by carolo43 September 28, 2011 11:00 AM EDT

Another drug abuser dies and everyone is in all this shock? Jackson is just on the list along with Belushi, Elvis, Anna Nichole, Heath Ledger, etc. He abused drugs for years and weighed 110 at his death. He had only known Dr Murray a month.

Years ago he stumbled into court in his pajamas supported by two grown men so he would walk and years ago it was reported he was even getting prescriptions in his kids names. Even his brother and sister stated on Larry King he was an addict.

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by abrewer47 September 29, 2011 4:09 PM EDT: How fast people forget the facts. Michael was an addict. Dr Murray is taking the fall for all the other people who enabled him to be an addict. The Michael machine did not facilitate getting medical help for him in his last minutes. There was a chain of people Dr M had to follow first. The Michael machine did not cooperate with him. They did not help him. They were too busy trying to record events for legal action later. Dr M. looks very sad all alone. His own lawyers act very hateful towrds him. If looks could kill...


by Deezignerkid September 30, 2011 3:05 PM EDT: Adiction is a terrible thing' we should prevent it at all cost' be wit our families even drag them down the rehabilitation centre to get prober help.

by baileyccc September 28, 2011 2:39 AM EDT

There are a lot of if's here. Good thing Dr. Murray has a California jury going for him. He should be found "Not Guilty".

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by vuitton1752 September 28, 2011 4:51 AM EDT: I do not know trial you are watching. Listen to facts straight from Dr. Murray's mouth. He admitted giving all those different strong drugs that led to Michael's death. Dr. Murray disobeyed all the Medical Standard Proper Care.Definitely GROSSLY NEGLIGENT!! DEFINITELY GUILTY!!!!


by andie52 September 28, 2011 7:37 AM EDT: He has no other excuse. This is a man originally wanted 5 million dollars a year to care for MJ since would have to leave his four clinics and 'beloved patients. He left them for a bit less money and never looked back. He was unqualified to care for Jackson who was an admitted addict.

by bankersvox September 28, 2011 1:44 AM EDT

Everyone knows that Michael Loved everything, and would be unhappy to see this good man blamed for something that he had no control over. The hate, finger pointing and blaming will not bring Michael back. What we need is understanding and love, and forgiveness. i forgive this man as we are not perfect, that is what MJ would have wanted us to do,

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by Deezignerkid September 30, 2011 3:15 PM EDT: Ir was an opportunity of a lyf tym so he graped it not knowing that id change the rest of his life..After all MJ..R.I.P was already frail nd Dr. Murray thinking that he was gne work 4 high celebs. Question were is the person that referred Murray to cater 2 MJ..


by ultravioletrae September 27, 2011 11:37 PM EDT: no wonder the public doesn't have a clue about Jackson, this kind of biased reporting is the reason. terrible article. i watched the trial, this doesn't begin to represent what went on in court today.; Reply to this comment


by smc341 September 27, 2011 10:55 PM EDT: Dr. Murray was a greedy b**stard who knew better not to give a surgical anesthesia to his patient but did it anyway because he wanted to get paid $150,000 a month to support his questionable lifestyle.

Murray has 7 kids by six different women. He was in debt up to his neck, his home was being foreclosed on, etc. He needed money and didn't care what he did to make money.

Take away his medical license, he doesn't deserve the privledge of being called "doctor."; Reply to this comment


by Fatesrider September 27, 2011 10:02 PM EDT: I have to look at the actions of the doctor. He gave enough of the pills to Jackson for Jackson to take ON HIS OWN. He was the supplier. He knew Jackson had them. He knew Jackson had issues with sleeping and could take the pills that were prescribed (and probably often did).

And with all of that previous knowledge and knowledge o previous actions, he STILL administered a powerful aesthetic by IV that he was NOT qualified to administer.

Yeah, I'm going to go with gross negligent homicide on this one. Thank you, Defense Attorney. You have proven the Prosecutor's case.; Reply to this comment


by pipesmygame September 27, 2011 8:17 PM EDT: He wanted is own doctor for his fix . we lost so many stars music movies etc to drugs . Money power and more money he gets his way . Do not get me wrong he was a great performer . But hearing all today i think he was a junkie to pills . The shame about it the people and his family had to see it .; Reply to this comment