Anna Nicole-Like Probe Of Jackson Drugs
California authorities want to know which doctors prescribed what for Michael Jackson, and are conducting an investigation like the one they did after the death of Anna Nicole Smith.
This, as a celebrity Web site is reporting that Jackson's insurance policy covered him for death from an overdose, and as Los Angeles gears up for a memorial service to be remembered next week.
California's Attorney General is scouring the state's computer database for connections between the King of Pop and prescription drugs, CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker reported on "The Early Show Saturday Edition".
"This system is now being (used) to determine what drugs, what prescriptions were given to Michael Jackson, (and) by whom," Calif. AG Jerry Brown told CBS News.
The same type of computer search was done after Anna Nichole Smith's death, Whitaker points out. Her former boyfriend and doctor have been charged in California with conspiring to provide her with prescription drugs. They deny it.
The California probe marks a widening of the investigation into how Jackson died. Los Angeles police and the federal Drug Enforcement Administration are also involved.
A law enforcement official told The Associated Press that Diprivan, a powerful anesthetic used in surgery, was found in Jackson's rented mansion.
"This is a drug that we use in the operating room, in the intensive care unit, to produce deep and prolonged sedation," CBS News medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton noted to co-anchor Erica Hill on "The Early Show Saturday Edition". " ... Many hospitals and surgery centers do not even allow this drug to be administered without the presence of an anesthesiologist, so (having it used in a home, if it was in this case) is highly unusual.
" ... Just because a doctor can get this medication does not mean it should be given in all settings. I have an 'M.D." after my name. I couldn't get this medication readily. And certainly, it would not be prudent or good medical care to give it in an out-of-hospital setting."
Web site TMZ.com reports that Jackson's insurance policy, taken out by his concert promoters, covers him not for death from natural causes, but from overdose.
As the probes continue, the Jackson family and city of L.A. are gearing up for an elaborate, star-studded tribute Tuesday in the 20,000 seat home of the L.A. Lakers, the Staples Center.
Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, the promoter behind what was to be Jackson's London comeback shows, told reporters, "It is the family's wish to create a (memorial) service and celebration that all of Michael's fans around the world can be part of."
Jackson was rehearsing for his London shows at the Staples Center the night before he died.
The memorial service, says Whitaker, will be one "like few have seen before."
When organizers offered 11.000 tickets online, they got 500 million hits in the first-hour-and-a-half from fans hoping to join Jackson's family and famous friends, invited guests such as Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Beyonce and Steve Wonder, who is expected to perform.
Another 6,500 tickets will permit fans to watch the service on screens in the nearby Nokia Theater.
But the city wants all other fans to stay home.
Cash-strapped L.A. is going to have to tap an emergency fund to pay for police and crowd control.
And acting Mayor Jan Perry, a councilwoman, told "Early Show Saturday Edition" co-anchor Chris Wragge neither the Jackson family nor AEG have offered to help foot the bill.