Expert Witness Says Murray is Responsible for Jackson's Death

A cardiologist testifying at the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor blasted Dr. Conrad Murray's treatment of Michael Jackson, calling it "unethical," citing multiple "deviations" from accepted standards of care, which he felt made Murray responsible for the singer's death.

• Expert medical witness for the prosecution provides signs of potential negligence
• Murray's lawyers are considering changing strategy and story
• Related: Jurors Hear Recording of Police Interview of Jacko's Doctor

 

Signs of Possible Negligence Could Add Up

Dr. Alon Steinberg, a noted doctor and expert witness, pointed to several deviations from standards of care that he considered examples of "gross negligence" on Murray's part, including:

• The use of the anesthetic Propofol to put Jackson to sleep
• The lack of proper equipment or staffing in Jackson's home
• The lack of preparation for an emergency, following improper protocols after Jackson went into cardiac and respiratory arrest
• The delay in calling 911, and
• Murray's failure to maintain medical records for Jackson.

"You put all of those together," Steinberg testified, "yes, he's responsible." Steinberg, one of the final witnesses prosecutors plan to call in their case, repeatedly insisted that Jackson could have been saved if Murray had sought help within minutes of finding Jackson in arrest.
On cross examination, defense attorney Michael Flanagan pressed Steinberg about his assumption that Murray was only out of the room for two minutes when Jackson became unresponsive, as Murray claimed in his police interview.
Prosecutors have presented evidence suggesting that Murray may have been on the phone with a girlfriend for about five minutes before the moment they believe he noticed Jackson was in arrest.
Defense attorneys notified the judge and prosecutors that they'll no longer be presenting the theory that Jackson took the Propofol that killed him orally. Instead, they'll suggest that Jackson injected the drug through his leg when Murray was out of the room. Changing a strategy in the middle of a trial can be risky, but can help as well.
After Steinberg, prosecutors are expected to call an anesthesiologist and a sleep expert before they rest their case, which could happen before the end of this week.
Anne Gallagher co-authors the Lawyers.com blog.