The dead body of Michael Jackson was shown today to jurors determining the fate of the late singer’s doctor who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Jackson paid “far too high a price” for the criminally negligent care of his doctor when the world-famous singer dropped dead two years ago, prosecutors said, as they showed the jury of slideshow of photos.
Dr. Conrad Murray arrives at the Criminal Courts Building in Downtown Los Angeles Tuesday. (Splash News)
While the DA made their case, jurors were also shown a picture of Jackson on a stretcher with a tube over his face.
“Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide,” Los Angeles Deputy DA David Walgren forcefully told jurors who are sitting in judgment of MJ’s physician Dr. Conrad Murray.
“The acts and the omissions of Michael Jackson’s personal doctor, Conrad Murray, directly led to his premature death at the age of 50.”
At one point, a slide showed the image of Jackson’s body next to a picture of Jackson alive.
Walgren said the second photo showed Jackson rehearsing at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on June 24, 2009, the day before the pop star died. The photo of the body was dated June 25, 2009.
“The question became what occurred between June 24, 2009, when Michael Jackson, shown in this picture, performing at the Staples Center, singing ‘Earth Song’ — what happened between that time and approximately 12 hours later when Michael Jackson is dead?” Walgren told jurors.
The prosecutor also said Murray gave Jackson lethal doses of an anesthetic as a sleep aid.
“The evidence in this case will show, that Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray,” Walgren said. “The evidence in this case will show Michael Jackson entrusted his life to the medical skills of Conrad Murray. The evidence will further show, unequivocally, that that misplaced trust had far too high a price to pay. That misplaced trust in Conrad Murray cost Michael Jackson his life.”
The DA also played an audio recording, where Jackson is heard slurring his words.
“When people leave my show, I want them to say, ‘I’ve never seen nothing like this in my life,’” the voice on the recording says.
The defense countered that Jackson caused his own death by taking the drug propofol after his doctor left the room.
Before the trial began, Jackson’s family and almost 100 protesters descended on Los Angeles criminal court. Mom Katherine, dad Joe and siblings Janet, Jermaine, LaToya, Tito, Rebbe and Randy all wore black as they solemnly marched into the downtown courthouse.
There was also plenty of support for Murray.
“[I’m] supporting an innocent man, a friend of [Jackson’s],” said Ruman Khan, a family friend and supporter of Murray’s. “People don’t understand him. He’s a human being, he’s a doctor, he’s saved many lives and he’s a gentle soul.”
The DA is pressing an involuntary-manslaughter case against the Houston cardiologist, who could land behind bars for up to four years if convicted.
Prosecutors said Murray gave Jackson fatal doses of anesthetics, killing the international pop icon on June 25, 2009.
Most of the protesters are Jackson fans, many with signs that read “Justice for Michael!”
A group of Jackson supporters link hands to pray outside the court.
“Justice for Michael, Jesus is Lord, we shall have victory,” they pray. “Vindicate Michael’s name and bring the truth out.”
A minority of those outside supported Murray, saying the doctor helps disadvantaged patients and has been unfairly tainted by Jackson’s death.
A woman rushed Murray as he was being escorted to the courtroom. She was escorted out of the building, CNN reported.
LA Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor issued his final pre-trial rulings yesterday, telling defense lawyers they couldn’t show footage of Jackson’s final press conference on March 5, 2009 when he announced a string of comeback concerts at London’s 02 Arena.
The defense had wanted to show Jackson was strung out long before Murray did anything 3 1/2 months later,when The Gloved One suddenly dropped dead at his rented LA mansion.
“We believe that it’s readily apparent from watching the video that Mr. Jackson was under the influence,” defense lawyer Nareg Gourjian said.
Judge Pastor said the footage was not relevant to how Jackson died or what Murray might have done to prevent or cause it.
Pastor also shot down a DA request to tell jurors that Murray was unhelpful to police, after giving a long statement to cops two days after MJ’s passing. Pastor said it was unclear whether Murray and his lawyers received proper notice that officers wanted to chat again.
Prosecutors contend Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of the powerful, hospital-grade anesthetic Propofol and other sedatives.
MJ’s kids, Prince and Paris, are on a list of potential witnesses. They could testify about their dad’s fragile state and the role Murray played in caring for him.
The defense claims Jackson enjoyed self-medication and gave himself the additional, deadly doses of the anesthetic the day he died.
A panel of seven men and five women are set to hear evidence in the trial that’s expected to last up to six weeks.
MJ’s brother Jermaine said he expects an aggressive defense from Murray’s lawyers.
“Let us remember that there have been lies, mud-slinging and rabid TV pundits before – and they were defeated by truth,’’ he tweeted.