Doctor accused over Jackson death on trial

Dr Murray is accused of involuntary manslaughter – by injecting Jackson with the powerful anaesthetic propofol, and then failing to monitor him properly. His lawyers will argue that the singer may have drunk or injected the drug himself – claiming he appeared to be “desperate” around the time of his death.

Defence tactics

Jackson’s parents, his sisters LaToya and Janet, and other relatives, were at the LA Superior Court for today’s proceedings, while dozens of fans gathered outside, some waving placards, others praying. A few people also turned up to support Dr Murray, who went in via a side door. He’s denied the charges – but faces four years in prison if he’s convicted.

In opening arguments, prosecutor David Walgren told the jury that the star “literally put his life in the hands of Dr Conrad Murray”.

However, he went on: “That misplaced trust…cost Michael Jackson his life.” He then showed the court a slide of Jackson on a medical trolley, and said he would give details of exactly what happened in the final hours of the singer’s life.

That misplaced trust… cost Michael Jackson his life. David Walgren, deputy District Attorney

At the time of his death, in June 2009, Jackson was preparing for a series of concerts in London called “This is It”. The choreographer and film director Kenny Ortega, who was organising the London shows, will be called as the first witness. The trial will also hear evidence from medical experts and paramedics who took Jackson to hospital, and Dr Murray’s girlfriends.

Key witnesses

There’s also a chance that the singer’s 13 year old daughter Paris may be called to the stand. She was at his Holmby Hills mansion when he stopped breathing. According to the celebrity gossip site TMZ, Jackson’s 14 year old son Prince has said he doesn’t want to testify but will “do what needs to be done to get justice for his departed dad”.

Around 400 potential jurors were involved in the trial selection process – which included a 30 page questionnaire. A panel of 7 men and 5 women were eventually sworn in, aged between 32 and 57. Just one is African American – six are white and five are Hispanic. Half of them admitted they had considered themselves Jackson fans at some stage, while several said they had followed other high profile celebrity trials.

The judge has already barred any mention of Jackson’s child molestation case, nor his multi-million pound debts, claiming that would all turn into a “salacious…battle of the accountants”.

Courtroom battle

But the stage is now set for a different battle – as the defence team attempt to blame Jackson for his own death – hoping the jury will then find it easier to acquit Dr Murray of any serious criminal offence. Or they could decide that the doctor shouldn’t have left his patient in a position to harm himself. If Dr Murray is found guilty, he could face four years in jail.

According to Professor Bryan Liang, from California Western School of Law, pinning the blame on Jackson himself is a risky tactic.

He told the LA Times “It’s like putting it all on red in Vegas. Ultimately, the responsibility falls on the person with the medical knowledge.”

And outside court, defence lawyer Ed Chernoff said if his strategy upset the jury, so be it. “I’m going to tell the truth”, he told reporters, “and let everyone else handle the rest”.