Jacko: I trust doc with my life
Star's fateful words hours before he died
Reader's Jackopot
A fan who won a Michael Jackson black fedora has learned it's worth a brimful of cash.
DOOMED Michael Jackson boasted his doctor was the "best in the world", telling aides, "I trust this guy with my life" just two days before he was killed by drugs administered by his trusted medic.
We can reveal how Jacko heaped praise on cardiologist Dr Conrad Murray as he prepared for a dress rehearsal at the Staples Center in LA on June 23, 2009.
He also insisted the doctor was paid almost £2 million for his round-the-clock services during the This Is It concerts - threatening to pull out if his demands were not meet.
Michael, 50, who died of a Propofol overdose on June 25, told aides: "My doctor is the best in the world.
"I feel completely comfortable with him. I trust this guy with my life. He's an incredible guy and understands what I need. He is a friend to me and my family.
"He makes me feel good about myself, and young again. Without him I wouldn't be able to function. I need him to make my body - this machine - work the way it does."
Heart
In another outburst the Thriller star added: "He is my family doctor. He helped Paris and Prince (Jacko's kids) when they had the flu and takes care of me. He has helped many people with heart issues, and saved lives. I am so happy he is with me. I know he is there for me."
One onlooker said: "It was like Michael was going out of his way to make out Murray was a Nobel Prize-winning medic. He made a point of talking up Murray."
Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death and the new revelations will be used by his defence to demonstrate how the doctor was neither greedy nor a hanger-on.
Aides say Jacko threw a fit when concert bosses questioned his demands that Murray, 56, be given £95,900 a month to look after him during the shows at the O2 in London. Concert promoter Randy Phillips of AEG gave in and agreed.
One aide said: "Randy couldn't see why so much money was being spent on a staff member who could be on a tenth of the salary in the UK.
"Michael backed them into a corner - and Randy gave in - although he put it on Michael's ever-growing bill. I don't think Murray even asked for millions, that was Michael's idea. With that high salary Michael felt he could demand anything from the doctor."
Frank DiLeo, Jacko's manager, confirmed the wrangles, adding: "I said, 'Michael, for $5 million, I'll buy you a hospital'. He said this guy was his family doctor. It made sense to me, to a degree."
But the News of the World has been told Jacko lied to his financial backers about his friendship with Murray. One insider said: "Michael made out he and Murray had a relationship stemming back years. He told us that he was his family doctor, when he had no such thing." And Dr Tohme Tohme, who took care of the singer's business affairs for three years before his death, said: "Michael never had a family doctor."
Meanwhile Jacko's dad Joe Jackson has won his fight with his son's estate to see Michael's medical records from the day he died. He says he needs them for a possible wrongful death lawsuit and to help his bid to get a regular allowance from Jacko's estate.
He reckons the files will "provide the necessary foundation for evidence he will present at the family allowance hearing (on May 26) about his overall ongoing financial needs during the course of estate administration."
Murray faces a preliminary trial in the next few months with a judge deciding if the case is strong enough to proceed.
Murray's spokesman insisted last night that Jacko and Murray were "good friends".
Please note: All comments are moderated.
Tick this box to accept our
TERMS & CONDITIONS
This article has 9 comments
This doctor was trusted by Michael with his health and what he did shows how unethical he is. If he found out that he was an exhausted patient addicted to propofol, why did he not act responsibly and advice Michael to see a phychiatrist instead of continuing giving him doses of propofol?
By Cristina Parra.. Posted March 28 2010 at 12:21 AM.
michael jackson:"I feel completely comfortable with him. I trust this guy with my life. He's an incredible guy and understands what I need. He is a friend to me and my family.
By sheikh.. Posted February 24 2010 at 7:01 AM.
I'm getttin the feeling Jacko wanted to die.
He's clearly trying to make the good doc look inocent by saying he trusts him..totally.
After all,....Jacko's gone thru alot over the years.
Could this have been all planned?
By Bill.. Posted February 24 2010 at 2:01 AM.
How marvellously ironic.
Thoughts with the family.
By dj.. Posted February 22 2010 at 3:08 PM.
Whatever MJ said or didn't say i think we all get the idea of what happened and no extra knowledge of who said or did what is unfortunatley going to bring him back or change anything. We know he died by a stupid accident that should never have happened. It just makes it more upsetting to read.
:( RIP MJ.
By kate.. Posted February 21 2010 at 10:55 PM.
This must be so hard for the family to take in but, im sure they want the truth to come out so michael didnt die in vain
By Angela.. Posted February 21 2010 at 12:35 PM.
If this doctor is guilty the truth will come out eventually. We all have to pray for his family who has to go though the pain of losing a family member that were so close to him. His children needs support and prayers not publicity . Let the courts do their works. In other words, let go and let God. I send my prayers to the Jackson's family, be strong and keep trusting in God. What ever a man sow he shall naturally reap.
By A.W.B... Posted February 21 2010 at 12:08 PM.
famous last words.
By bern.. Posted February 21 2010 at 9:07 AM.
Hasn't the time come to stop muck-raking about what may or may not have been said in confidence 9 months ago, and let the man rest in peace?
Let the courts do their jobs and lets all move on.
By Michael E... Posted February 21 2010 at 1:36 AM.