Doctor: Drug 'cocktail' killed Michael Jackson
Oct. 13, 2011 03:37 PM
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- Dr. Conrad Murray's use of a cocktail of drugs on Michael Jackson as he struggled to fall asleep on the day he died was a "recipe for disaster" and ultimately caused his death, a UCLA sleep therapy expert testified Thursday.
Under questioning by Murray's attorney, J. Michael Flanagan, the witness was asked to tell jurors what he knew about the events of June 25, 2009, the day of Jackson's death.
"To summarize, Mr. Jackson was receiving very inappropriate therapy in a home setting, receiving very potent therapies without monitoring," Kamanger said.
He said diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan) and midazolam (Versed) were given to the sleepless star during a 10-hour period throughout the night and morning.
"This cocktail was a recipe for disaster," Kamanger said.
Noting the addition of propofol (Dipravan), a powerful anesthetic used in surgeries, Flanagan asked: "Could this have caused death?'
"Absolutely," Kamanger said. "Absolutely."
Authorities say Murray gave Jackson a fatal dose of propofol. Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
The witness, one of the experts who evaluated Murray's actions for the California Medical Board, expressed dismay about the drugs Murray gave the pop star, his failure to immediately call 911 for help, and his lack of monitoring and record-keeping.
Murray was unable to produce any written records on his treatment of Jackson, Kamanger noted.
"There were no records whatsoever," he said. "It's very easy to forget details. We do not rely on memory."
"So it's your opinion that there's no way he could have remembered what he did if he didn't write it down?" Flanagan asked.
"It is an egregious violation of the standard of care when you are using sedatives like propofol and you are not writing it down," Kamanger answered.
The defense lawyer pressed on, asking, "Because he didn't write down the pulse rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate ... that didn't kill Michael Jackson, did it?'
"It's a combination of factors," said Kamanger.
"But not the cause of death?" asked Flanagan.
"It's a contributing factor," said the witness.
Kamanger was the third prosecution expert to criticize the conduct of Murray. He said his first mistake was using propofol to treat insomnia, calling it an unacceptable application of the drug.
He said Jackson's demand for the drug - the subject of previous testimony - was not a sufficient reason to give it. He also suggested Murray should have done a physical examination, taken a history from his patient about his insomnia, and called in other medical experts if necessary to evaluate the problem.
"The most important thing he should have done is call for help," Kamanger said.
He said Murray's interview with police made it clear that he waited too long to call 911 when he found Jackson not breathing.
Flanagan suggested at one point that doctors sometimes practice "bad medicine," but their patients are unharmed. Kamanger agreed.
On redirect questioning, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren asked: "Mr. Flanagan asked if a doctor could be grossly negligent and the patient could survive?"
"Yes," said Kamanger.
"Conrad Murray was grossly negligent in many areas and he caused Michael Jackson's death, is that correct?"
"Yes," said the witness.
On Wednesday, Murray's defense team announced they were dropping a claim that was the centerpiece of their case - that Jackson swallowed additional propofol when Murray was out of the room. Flanagan did not bring up self-dosing on Thursday.
Before court recessed, the prosecution called to the stand Dr. Steven Shafer, one of the nation's leading experts on propofol. However, he did not get into his substantive testimony before trial recessed until Monday because Shafer had a schedule conflict.
Shafer was expected to be the final prosecution witness in the case. The defense has a colleague of Shafer's waiting to take the stand.
Shafer helped craft guidelines for appropriate propofol dosing for sedation that is included in the packaging of every bottle that is sold.
Murray could face up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if convicted.
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I still have to say I think Michael Jackson's death is 50/50. It's partly the doctor's fault for giving him this kind of drug that's used (supposed to be used) for surgeries to knock people out and not give them restful sleep. It's partly Michael Jackson's fault for not caring enough about his own health. He was demanding all sorts of things to help him sleep instead of just trying alternatives like reading a book, watching tv until you fall asleep. Hell, sometimes it's just not your night to sleep you know?! Sometimes I toss and turn all night and I still went to work the next day. I just slept hard the next night. He could've tried a little wine, a little tea, avoiding caffeine before bedtime. I think him, as all celebrities do, demand whatever they want from whoever they want and are spoiled rotten. They also aren't in touch with reality and don't want to be responsible for their own actions. This time, that cost Michael Jackson BIG TIME.
I think he was incredibly talented and also incredibly tortured and troubled. This is a pattern that has been shown time and time again with the great people of history, whether it's an artist like Picasso, an actor, or singers. It's just so unfortunate that Michael didn't get some mental therapy in his youth to help him adjust in life as he got older and more and more famous. It's just not normal, and not a good idea to have lots of kids stay over at your house overnight (parent supervised or not - that's opening the door to lawsuits.) It's just not normal to bleach your skin when you're black to appear white or to have a ton of plastic surgery. And if he was gay, then just be ok with being gay. Don't pretend to love women and marry some just to try to fool someone. He never fooled anyone anyway and his kids aren't even of his sperm. He got an egg donor and a sperm donor from white people.
So very very sad. I always loved his music but always accepted he was very mentally unstable and unhappy with himself. Of course, he did have a terrible set of parents where his dad beat him and his mom stood by and let her husband beat her kids without doing anything about it.
I'm sure I could've come out all messed up as well with that kind of upbringing.
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