Greedy concert promoters had dollar signs in their eyes and did “whatever it took” to get Michael Jackson on stage, even hooking him up with drugs, a lawyer for pop icon’s family said Tuesday.
A 21-week civil trial, pitting Jackson’s family against concert titan AEG, is finally coming to an end with both sides telling jurors why promoters should or shouldn’t be held liable for MJ’s 2009 death.
Jackson died from lethal doses of anesthesia given to him by Dr. Conrad Murray, hired as MJ’s personal physician for a planned run of 50 London shows.
“There’s no question AEG wanted The King of Pop in their arena in London,” family lawyer Brian Panish told jurors during closing arguments.
“They wanted it so badly that despite these comments they made about Michael Jackson and the tabloids and everything, they wanted him so badly that they would do whatever it took to get him stage and they told that to Dr. Murray.”
Murray was convicted of manslaughter two years for giving Jackson anesthesia as sleep medication.
“They [AEG officials] told Dr. Murray, `We want you to have everything you can have.’ They knew exactly what he offered, an unlimited supply of prescription medication,” Panish said.
There was too much money on the line for Jackson not to be rested and read to perform, according to the family’s lawyer.
“They sold out so many tickets so fast they were so excited about how much money was going to be made and if Michael couldn’t perform they’d have to give the money back,” Panish told jurors.
“All of these production costs, they didn’t have appropriate insurance to cover it all, and they were going to be out the money.”
AEG lawyers have claimed they shouldn’t be held liable for Murray, arguing the quack never signed a contract with the company was in Jackson’s complete control.
The defense is set to address jurors on Wednesday.