Tape could clear Jacko Doctor
(or send him to prison)
Photos
THE tape of a voicemail left by Doctor Murray as King Of Pop Michael Jackson "lay dying" could be the key piece of evidence in the star's death trial.
The News of the World has obtained the recording - which incredibly will be used by BOTH the defence and prosecution to try and win their cases.
Dr Conrad Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, left an 18-second message for a patient on the morning of Jacko's death in June last year.
In the recording - which can be heard here - Murray, 56, sounds calm as he informs patient Bob Russell about a heart scan:
"This is Doctor Murray, Bob. Hi, how are you? Um, sorry I missed you. Just wanted to talk to you about your results of the EECP. You did quite well on the study. We would love to continue to see you as a patient even though I may have to be absent from my practice for, uh, because of an overseas sabbatical."
However, the call took place at 11:54am - the same time Los Angeles cops claim Murray was frantically carrying out CPR on Jackson in his bedroom after a deadly intake of drug Propofol.
But his lawyers will insist that this piece of evidence blows away police reports that the doctor admitted to starting CPR on the star around 10:52am.
A source close to the Murray team said: "It's clear from the voicemail that Murray is not a man who sounds frantic, worried or in a stressful position.
"But if the police's timeline is correct, then he would have been almost an hour into giving Jackson CPR." Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff aims to discredit cops' initial interviews with his client in a bid to convince a jury that they bungled the enquiry.
If he wins this row then Murray could discredit every interview by LAPD detectives.
Calm
In their documents filed last July, detectives say Murray told them he gave Jackson the Propofol and went to the toilet for about two minutes. When he returned, he found Jackson unconscious.
This, along with two other calls the doctor made between 11 and 12 that morning, will be at the centre of his defence.
The source added: "Murray's lawyers know he gave Michael Propofol and understand that killed him. But just what happened in that room in those few hours Michael was last alive will be the key battleground."
However, the prosecution will say the tape strengthens their case. If the cops' version of Murray's timeline IS correct, then it means the call was made while Jacko lay unconscious, or dead, in his Hollywood mansion.
Court documents presented by police say Murray was on his mobile for 47 minutes after 11am. Another says Murray told them Jacko "stopped breathing" at around 11am.
A 911 call placed by Jackson's bodyguard Alberto Alvarez revealed Murray was doing CPR on his bed to revive the overdosed star at around 12.21pm.
The District Attorney's Office, through homicide detectives Smith and Martinez, say Murray never informed them of these calls.
Evasive
Another source said: "The fact that Murray made this call and didn't tell the police about it may be useful to the prosecution.
"Basically, it shows he was being evasive and had something to hide. Why would you not tell the police about every single thing you had done during those crucial moments when Michael Jackson was dying?"
The prosecution could argue that this call shows that Murray was not in that room or even aware of the victim's problems.
Other theories discussed on US telly debates imply that Murray knew the star was dead - but was covering his tracks by making routine calls.
Even if the timeline is wrong, prosecutors will argue that Murray's calls while Jacko was hooked up to an IV drip show he wasn't paying full attention.
We revealed last year how Murray will claim drug addict Jackson, 51, knew how to self-administer.
Last night a spokesman for the LAPD insisted: "The investigation into the death of Michael Jackson was conducted in a professional manner."
Our exclusive picture of Jacko's Deathbed will also play a vital part in the trial over what equipment Murray used to treat his insomniac patient.
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This article has 21 comments
At some stage he claims Michael stopped breathing during the 2 min he was in the bathroom(note AFTER)
he had given Michael a dose of propofol.You never leave a patient whom you just sedated,weather with a small or large dose, you go to the bathroom before such a risky procedure given .esp. when wrongfully using
an anestetic.Neither shall you ever leave pt unobserved in an a confused or obtunded state with
dangerous medicines and medical equipment ,all such
needs to be safely put away.His defence that Michael did it himself=nil.
By carina.. Posted August 9 2010 at 2:35 PM.
maybe the last drug he had would not have killed him, but the combination of drugs he had taken previous to this one, surely adds up to a lethal potion. Being his personal physician, he should have known what the outcome could be and should have insisted that the propofol was not administered. I do believe the doctor had no intention of killing him. Miss you loads Michael, think of you everyday.
Helen xxxxxxxxxx
By Helen.. Posted March 7 2010 at 5:25 PM.
you stupid peoples should grow up,michael jakson is not with us becose he liked to take medikation that he should not have been taking,in my country michael jakson big big star in my country but he stupid bacose he take silly drugs drugs no good they do not work he very silly man
By mikael.. Posted February 20 2010 at 11:05 PM.
how do u know michael is still alive?? have i missed something :S
By Kel.. Posted February 20 2010 at 9:56 PM.
get jeremy kyle involved with his lie detector he will rip the man to bits in 0.2secs and will tell him in no timeas michael himself would have said to"beat it"
By theresa rosellli.. Posted February 18 2010 at 11:38 PM.
True ... none of it will bring back Michael Jackson but at least we want closure and the truth on what really happened on that very fateful day. Misses you my angelic soul brother, Michael Joseph Jackson ... RIP ...
By Bridgette Teo.. Posted February 17 2010 at 6:38 AM.
Michael Jackson is still alive, please stop worrying.
By Flo.. Posted February 16 2010 at 1:03 PM.
Michael is fine ...
By Jenny.. Posted February 16 2010 at 9:29 AM.
1) Y'all need to stop calling him Jacko.
2) I don't see how this helps Murray. They're claiming he wasn't giving CPR to a dying patient, because he was too busy chatting to someone else while said patient was hooked up to drugs which demand constant monitoring? Really now.
By Eileen.. Posted February 15 2010 at 10:55 PM.
I hope the truth is discovered and mj's kids can have some closure. Nothing will bring MJ back for them, but it's important for them to know what really happened and for there to be consequences. I am still confused as to why he would take propofol - it doesn't give you rem sleep and can affect motor reflexes. Maybe it was used only to get him off to sleep. Still, it's a dangerous drup and needs to be used by only anaesthesiologists.
By GrainneKathleen.. Posted February 15 2010 at 10:42 PM.
so stupid i just want ta say that nothing gone change my point of view crazy murry is guilty he is just jucky not to be in canada he would go up 10 years nothing under that would be fair to bad
By LOUIDALLAIRE.. Posted February 15 2010 at 10:14 AM.
Miss you Michael... Weird Doc sounding all calm as you lay there..What BS.. Nothing can bring you back. But least we can still Hear your voice and music throughout the World.. Shame its not in Person..
By Krystle.. Posted February 15 2010 at 2:49 AM.
Michael Is Still Alive Guys....
By Nick.. Posted February 14 2010 at 6:18 PM.
and I think the family and friends need to held accountable . They have stood by and watch this man self-destruct himself. They are just as much to blame.. and yes let him rest in peace .
By Olivia.. Posted February 14 2010 at 5:34 PM.
Wheres lieutenant columbo when you need him!
By Luke.. Posted February 14 2010 at 4:00 PM.
All of these doesn't make 2 me.Why wil he wan't his patient dead?I gues we'l hav 2 find out.
By Henry.. Posted February 14 2010 at 12:24 PM.
DOES EVERYONE TIME THEMSELVES ON THE LOO ????
THERE IS NOTHING TO PROVE THAT HE WAS ONLY OUT OF THE ROOM FOR THE "TWO MINUTES" HE STATES... HAS THIS FACT BEEN LOOKED INTO???
By A mum.. Posted February 14 2010 at 7:52 AM.
oh the irony deb in michigan, all we hear from jacko fans is "well MJ wasn't found guilty so stop accusing him" but this doctor is innocent in all of your eyes without being anywhere near a verdict! pathetic!
By Ben In Harlow.. Posted February 14 2010 at 7:47 AM.
You aren so right Kate..none of this will bring Michael back, and that is the sad thing about all of this fiasco right down to the part where Michael should STILL be here if it were not for this Doctors incompetence. Miss you Michael every single day!!!
By Deb In Michigan.. Posted February 14 2010 at 1:39 AM.
So much lies and so many stories. Its the worst mess ever.
By JR.. Posted February 14 2010 at 1:23 AM.
Well none of it will bring back Michael Jackson which is the saddest part in this :(
By kate.. Posted February 14 2010 at 12:12 AM.