Official: Jackson's Death Ruled a Homicide

L.A. Coroner's Finding Makes it More Likely Criminal Charges will be Filed Against King of Pop's Doctor

(CBS/ AP)  Michael Jackson's death has been ruled a homicide caused by a mix of drugs meant to treat insomnia, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press, while his personal doctor told investigators he was actually trying to wean the King of Pop off the powerful anesthetic that did him in.

Forensic tests found the anesthetic propofol combined with at least two sedatives to kill Jackson, according to the official, who spoke Monday on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released. Based on those tests, the Los Angeles County Coroner has ruled the death a homicide, the official said.

The coroner's homicide ruling does not necessarily mean a crime was committed. But it makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against Dr. Conrad Murray, the Las Vegas cardiologist who was caring for the pop star when he died June 25 in a rented Los Angeles mansion.

The coroner's finding "doesn’t mean we are going to see a homicide, as opposed to manslaughter case against anyone," said CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen. "The examiner’s office doesn’t distinguish between legal terms 'manslaughter' and 'homicide.'"

Through his lawyer, Murray has said he administered nothing that "should have" killed Jackson.

Murray told investigators that Jackson stopped breathing about 10 minutes after he relented and finally gave in to his patient's demands for propofol around 10:40 a.m., following a nightlong regimen of sedatives that did not work, according to court documents unsealed Monday.

A search warrant affidavit unsealed in Houston, where Los Angeles police took materials from one of Murray's clinics last month as part of their manslaughter investigation, includes a detailed account of what detectives say Murray told them. Manslaughter is homicide without malice or premeditation.

Read the full search warrant affidavit (PDF)

The doctor said he'd been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks with 50 milligrams of propofol every night via an intravenous drip, the affidavit said. Murray said he feared Jackson was becoming addicted to the anesthetic, which is supposed to be used only in hospitals and other advanced medical settings, so he had lowered the dose to 25 milligrams and added the sedatives lorazepam and midazolam.

That combination had succeeded in helping Jackson sleep two days prior to his death. So the next day, Murray told detectives, he cut off the propofol — and Jackson fell asleep with just the two sedatives.

Then around 1:30 a.m. on June 25, starting with a 10-milligram tab of Valium, Murray said he tried a series of drugs instead of propofol to make Jackson sleep. The injections included two milligrams of lorazepam around 2 a.m., two milligrams of midazolam around 3 a.m., and repeats of each at 5 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. respectively.

They didn't work.

Murray told detectives that around 10:40 a.m. he gave in to Jackson's "repeated demands/requests" for propofol, which the singer called his "milk," according to the affidavit. He administered 25 milligrams of the white-colored liquid — a relatively small dose — and finally, Jackson fell asleep.

Murray remained with the sedated Jackson for about 10 minutes, then left for the bathroom, the affidavit said. Less than two minutes later, Murray returned — and found Jackson had stopped breathing.

Cell phone records show three separate calls from Murray's phone for between 11:18 a.m. and 12:05 p.m., the affidavit said. It's not clear who received the calls. Murray had told authorities he was administering CPR during that time.

In a statement posted late Monday on his firm's Web site, Murray's attorney Edward Chernoff questioned the timeline as depicted in the affidavit, calling it "police theory."

"Dr. Murray simply never told investigators that he found Michael Jackson at 11:00 am not breathing," Chernoff said. He declined to comment on the homicide ruling, saying "We will be happy to address the Coroner's report when it is officially released."

It is no surprise that such a combination of medications could kill someone, said Dr. David Zvara, anesthesia chairman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

"All those drugs act in synergy with each other," Zvara said. Adding propofol on top of the other sedatives could have "tipped the balance" by depressing Jackson's breathing and ultimately stopping his heart.

The 25 milligrams of propofol "is not a whopping amount," said Lee Cantrell, director of the San Diego division of the California Poison Control System. It was the cocktail of the other sedatives, known as benzodiazepines, that "may have been the trigger that pushed him over the edge," Cantrell said.

Cantrell said it's perplexing that someone would give various benzodiazepines if one was found not to be effective.

"This is horrible polypharmacy," he said, referring to the interaction between the various drugs. "No one will treat an insomniac like this."

CBS News analyst Trent Copeland told CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric that he is surprised Murray has yet to be charged.

"It's actually surprising that those charges have not yet been filed," he said. "Particularly, given all the evidence that appears to be mounting against the doctor. There's documentary evidence, there's evidence from statements he provided to law enforcement in those six hours plus interviews. I'm a little surprised that we have not yet seen charges filed against the doctor, or him arrested. But… I expect that to happen very, very soon."

The affidavit, signed by a judge July 20, said that the coroner's office chief medical examiner told police his review of preliminary toxicology results showed "lethal levels of propofol."

Besides the propofol and two sedatives, the coroner's toxicology report found other substances in Jackson's system but they were not believed to have been a factor in the singer's death, the official told the AP.

Murray didn't tell paramedics or doctors at UCLA hospital where Jackson was rushed about any drugs he administered other than lorazepam and flumazenil, according to the affidavit.

It was only during a subsequent interview with Los Angeles Police detectives that Murray gave a more full accounting of the events leading up to the 911 call, the document said.

The coroner's office has not publicly released its autopsy findings, citing a request from police to withhold results until their investigation is complete.

A call to the coroner's office was not returned Monday. A spokeswoman for the Los Angeles District Attorney's said no case had been presented so the office had nothing to comment on.

The line between safe and dangerous doses of propofol is thin, and according to the drug's guidelines a trained professional must always stay bedside.

Word that Jackson was given the drug to help him sleep startled the medical community, not the least because the setting was his rented mansion. Home use of propofol is virtually unheard of — safe administration requires both a specially trained anesthesiologist and an array of lifesaving equipment. Murray was trained as a heart doctor, not a pain and sedation specialist.

At Jackson's bedside were pill bottles for other drugs prescribed by Murray and two other doctors, the document says. The medicines include a variety of anti-insomnia drugs, a muscle relaxant and a drug for urinary problems from an enlarged prostate.

Investigators found about eight bottles of propofol in Jackson's home along with numerous other medications, according to the affidavit. Murray told investigators he didn't order or buy any propofol, but investigators served a search warrant Aug. 11 at a Las Vegas pharmacy and uncovered evidence showing Murray legally purchased from the store the propofol he gave Jackson the day he died.

When he died, Jackson was skinny but not overly emaciated, and his body had bed sores, the official said. The singer is believed to have developed bed sores in the months following his 2005 acquittal of child molestation charges, when he went into seclusion and spent long stretches in bed.

Jackson's family released a statement Monday, saying it has "full confidence" in the legal process and the efforts of investigators. It concludes: "The family looks forward to the day that justice can be served."

Complete coverage of Michael Jackson's life and death

The affidavit contains the following excerpts:

• "I have reason to believe and do believe that evidence of the crime of manslaughter" was found in Murray’s storage facility.
• Murray says he administered "several drugs to Jackson in the early morning hours" and at 11am, Jackson stopped breathing.
• "toxicology analysis showed that MJ had lethal levels of Propofol in his blood"
• Murray administered Propofol and Lidocaine intravenously in early morning hours of 6/25/09

The warrant says the following:

• Murray told LAFD paramedics he had given Jackson Lorazepam before he stopped breathing - 2 doses of 2 mg during the night
• Search of residence found the following bottles of meds prescribed by Murray: diazepam (valium), tamsulosin (flomax), lorazepam (ativan) and temazepam (restoril)
• Also from Dr Metzger clonazepam (klonopin) and trazonone (desyrl)
• And tizanidine (zaanaflex) by Dr. Klein
• Murray gave Jackson an intravenous drip every night to help him sleep of Propofol diluted with Lidocaine
• On June 22, Murray gave MJ propofol and lorazepam and midazolam
• On June 23 gave him lorazepam and midazolam.

On June 25, the day of Jackson's death, the warrant has the following information:

• 0130am - valium pill.
• 0200 lorazepam IV.
• 0300 midazolam IV.
• 0500 lorazepam IV.
• Jackson remained awake and at 0730 Murray gave him more midazolam in IV.
• Jackson remained awake and at 1040am Murray gave him propofol diluted with lidocaine via IV drip. Jackson finally went to sleep.
• 1050am Murray went to the bathroom for 2 minutes, returned and said Jackson wasn’t breathing. Started CPR and gave him Flumanezil

[zappa1999]

Who cares? One less child predator we have to worry about.

[rupertob]

The problem is especially when famous people are doing something unwanted no one wants to help instead they take the advantage out of the situation. This is the same thing when it comes to MJ. Why did not anyone assist him and advice him to do the right thing? I am sure at leat one person could have taken the effort.

Anyway it is too late and it is time we should leave this great personality to rest in peace.

[wannabestartinsomethin]

MJ critics please:
- google: GQ article from 1994 by mary fisher
-search youtube: "Inside Michael Jackson's Trial" (5 parts)
All questions regarding Michael's innocence will be answered all doubts will be laid to rest.

[creation1961]

We can all speculate and talk about all the injustices done to Michael over the past few years. But the one truth that no one can argue is what is written in Hebrews 9:27 "It is appointed once for man to die after this the judgement". No matter how shocking it all may seem, it was his appointed time to die. No one could have prevented it. Life is full of constants. People , places, and things are constantly changing. But there is one certainty and that is "death". The sooner we all come to the realization of this certainty in life the better off we all will be and maybe in the future when a celebrity or someone in a high position dies, we can say, see you on the other side and continue to live our lives until our appointed time come. Let him rest, he did all he was commissioned to do while he was here amongst us. He's gone now and we can't bring him back.

[hamiltoningrate]

Isn't it time that we move on ?


Finding blame for this person or another will not bring the King back. He had a drug desire that made his life something that finally killed him, I guess. Let's just put all of that aside, and think positive about his music and legacy.

[erasmus111]

by gramto8 August 25, 2009 6:19 AM EDT
Tell him, erasmus!! These boards are for ANYONE to post on. If you don't like the fact that erasmus can post here, then go back to Faux News and read and post there.


Thank you, gramto8. And for the comment after that one too. : )

[beesntrees]

Thanks for allowing my opinion.

[beesntrees]

There is an unaltered natural plant that grows on this planet which is
illegal,causes a big uproar, puts people in prison with criminal records,causes people to commit thefts, sell their bodies for sex to
obtain some of this natural growing plant which has been given an unfair bad reputation.YET ALL THESE MAN MADE DRUGS WITH HARD TO PRONOUNCE NAMES ARE SO REDILY EXCEPTED IN BRAINWASHED SOCIETY.
Micheal Jackson,Anna Nicole Smith,and the countless other people in the past who have needlessly died would still be alive if mariquana
was not frowned upon so much by the law abiding citizens under these
criminal governments and criminal lawmakers. Legalize mariquana and save lives.Micheal Jackson would still be alive, happy, and performing if he had only partook of some mariquana whenever he needed to relax. Shame on all you druggy doctors , drug producers and people who promote all these wierd drugs that kill AND get people LEGALLY HOOKED. AND FOR ALL YOU CRUSADERS AGAINST MARIQUANA,some of you probably go home and get tipsy on alchohol after you threw someone in jail for possesion of some green plant.
MICHAEL JACKSON would be in jail right now had he been affiliated with mariquana. Yet he is dead because he had to resort to the exceptable drugs in society.
Some of you lawmakers and crusaders against mariquana are just as liable and at fault over the death of all those people who have died of legal drugs as those getting charged as Jacksons doctor.
You probably use alchohol secretly and who knows what else you do in secret.All you people out there getting high on legal perscription drugs,switch to mariquana and you will have a better life.
I do not drink nor smoke, yet I observe the passing scene and watched
my teenage kids friends.Alchohol and strange drugs makes people act
strange,however peoples behaviour due to the effects of mariquana
is very tolerable.WHY could'nt Michael Jackson , Anna Nicole and all the others use mariquana to relax? Why can't it be legal? It would make life so much less complicated.Get rid of all drugs, stick to whats needed for the hospital scene,and stay with whats growing natural.

[marilynkf]

Who cares??? Today's show Tues morning led with this. If there are any jackson fans up this early I doubt if they are watching a news show. This country and maybe even the world have bigger problems.

[jodyrae4]

The DOCTOR was the one responsible to take care of Michael..If the DOCTOR knew Michael was so addicted to drugs why would he give him so many drugs in such a short time..If Michael was insisting on the drugs to sleep why would the DOCTOR put his reputation at risk and give the drugs? HE IS A MONEY HUNGRY LEECH AND IS GUILTY OF MURDER!

[jodyrae4]

The DOCTOR was the one responsible to take care of Michael..If the DOCTOR knew Michael was so addicted to drugs why would he give him so many drugs in such a short time..If Michael was insisting on the drugs to sleep why would the DOCTOR put his reputation at risk and give the drugs? HE IS A MONEY HUNGRY LEECH AND IS GUILTY OF MURDER!

[AttentionDeficit]

If Michael had smoked pot instead, he would still be alive

[gramto8]

by erasmus111 August 24, 2009 5:08 PM EDT
by nextgenman09 August 24, 2009 5:03 PM EDT
worry about your own country, we'll worry about American Issues.


I'll worry about any damn thing I want. You don't like me voicing my opinion on CBS, then I suggest you send an email or write a letter to them and tell them to stop airing their dirty laundry to the whole freakin' world. Until then, shut the hell up.

*******
Tell him, erasmus!! These boards are for ANYONE to post on. If you don't like the fact that erasmus can post here, then go back to Faux News and read and post there.

[frankieblac]

Dr Death Conrad Murray Original Artwork? ***?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=350233432875&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

[mediarecorder]

The way I see it, both Jackson and his doctor share the blame for his death, but in a very real sense, Jackson inadvertently committed suicide.

People who use benzodiazapines often have a tendancy to somehow convince their doctors to keep increasing the dosages - this is more likely with people who get these meds from Psychiatrists than medical doctors, because psych doctors don't pay as close attention to the physical dangers when they are treating mental disorders. That Jackson had so many eccentricities and oddities about him suggests that he had some mental problems that should have, or even perhaps were being treated by some unnamed psychiatrist. Lorazapam is more commonly known as Atavan. It works by slowing down the heart and is a powerful sedative useful in treating both heart attack victims and those who suffer from panic attacks. Trust me when I tell you that Lorazepam, used in conjunction with propofol, is a DEADLY coctail mix all by itself, never mind adding in anything else.

This is where the doctor is, IMHO, guilty as sin. He knew, or should have known, that these meds were extremely dangerous in combination. He left the scene, was dishonest with investigators in the beginning... look, if I didn't know better, I'd say he knew exactly what he was doing. No doubt, Jackson was on a dangerous road but its one that when people who are on a lot of meds (doctor's fault here, many of them, for prescribing so much medication for him), it was this doctor's absolute fault for his death, injecting him with what he knew was extremely dangerous sedatives and adding in benzodiazapines that he should have known would slow down his heart and breathing all by themselves.

I believe he's guilty of much more than manslaughter. Wouldn't surprise me if the guy had an axe to grind with Jackson and took him out, after all, plenty of people thought MJ was a pedophile and many thought he should be rotting in jail. Its not unreasonable to think this doctor might have been harboring hatred for MJ for a long time before going into his employ.

Then again, could have been just an accident.

naaa... no way. Too fishy.

[debinok1]

If MJ was so exhausted that he required such heavy sedation, the Doctor should have admitted him. If MJ refused, the Doctor should have had him placed under 72 hour observation as a risk to himself, since he had a prescription drug that he should not have had. This is where this Doctor messed up, he did not follow standard procedure, that is medical neglect, when MJ died it became negligent homicide. He may not have meant to kill MJ, but his actions did cause his death.

[babooph]

Lucky for the architect he did not jump off a bridge.

[brianp55]

I'm not going to mention any names, but I know a certain African American physician who is in deep doo-doo.

[charlie748]

I think this is all hype. Michael Jackson asked him for the stuff. There's no guilt in that except thru Michael Jackson. Leave this guy alone.

[charlie748]

Well, whats coke? Whats marijuana? If this is an illegal drug, I'm guilty. Because they put me on the stuff to take out my wisdom teeth.

[erasmus111]

What's the name of your dentist? : )