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Janet Jackson arrives for a manslaughter hearing against the doctor who treated her brother Michael before his sudden death (PHOTO). (KTLA-TV / January 10, 2011) |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- A judge on Tuesday ordered Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter.
The ruling was issued by Los Angeles Superior Judge Michael Pastor after a six-day preliminary hearing that included more than 20 witnesses who mostly detailed Murray's actions during Jackson's final hours.
Prosecutors contended the Houston-based cardiologist was on the phone and distracted after administering a powerful anesthetic to Jackson.
They also presented evidence the singer was dead by the time Murray summoned help.
Murray is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of propofol mixed with other sedatives. He has pleaded not guilty.
His lawyers did not call any witnesses during the hearing.
The hearing, which began last week, has included a significant amount of prosecution evidence against Dr. Conrad Murray.
Among the witnesses was a security guard who said he was told to place vials of medicine in bags before calling 911.
Alberto Alvarez was the first security guard to reach the bedroom where Jackson lapsed into unconsciousness. Alvarez said he was frozen at the sight of Jackson on the bed with his eyes and mouth wide open.
He testified that Murray was using one hand to pump on the singer's chest as he lay on the bed. Prosecutors say CPR should be done on a hard surface, not a bed.
Alvarez says Murray ordered him to place pill bottles, an IV and vials into a brown bag before he was told to call 911.
"He just grabbed a handful of bottles, or vials, and he instructed me to put them in a bag," Alvarez said.
While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Alvarez says, Murray asked if anyone knew CPR and admitted that he had never performed the life-saving procedure before.
A paramedic sent to Jackson's rented mansion testified that he saw Murray scoop up three bottles of lidocaine from the floor and place the vials in a bag during efforts to revive the pop star.
Martin Blount testified that he was surprised to see the bottles since the doctor told paramedics he hadn't given Jackson any drugs.
Blount says Murray at one point also wanted to use a hypodermic needle on the King of Pop, which he and fellow paramedics refused.
Dr. Richelle Cooper said Jackson was dead long before he was wheeled into the emergency room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Cooper testified she authorized paramedics to pronounce Jackson dead at 12:57 p.m., but they declined at Murray's request and because of the singer's celebrity.
After an ambulance ride trailed by paparazzi and more than an hour of efforts in the ER, Cooper officially pronounced Jackson dead at 2:26 p.m. on June 25, 2009.
The ruling was issued by Los Angeles Superior Judge Michael Pastor after a six-day preliminary hearing that included more than 20 witnesses who mostly detailed Murray's actions during Jackson's final hours.
Prosecutors contended the Houston-based cardiologist was on the phone and distracted after administering a powerful anesthetic to Jackson.
They also presented evidence the singer was dead by the time Murray summoned help.
Murray is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of propofol mixed with other sedatives. He has pleaded not guilty.
His lawyers did not call any witnesses during the hearing.
The hearing, which began last week, has included a significant amount of prosecution evidence against Dr. Conrad Murray.
Among the witnesses was a security guard who said he was told to place vials of medicine in bags before calling 911.
Alberto Alvarez was the first security guard to reach the bedroom where Jackson lapsed into unconsciousness. Alvarez said he was frozen at the sight of Jackson on the bed with his eyes and mouth wide open.
He testified that Murray was using one hand to pump on the singer's chest as he lay on the bed. Prosecutors say CPR should be done on a hard surface, not a bed.
Alvarez says Murray ordered him to place pill bottles, an IV and vials into a brown bag before he was told to call 911.
"He just grabbed a handful of bottles, or vials, and he instructed me to put them in a bag," Alvarez said.
While waiting for paramedics to arrive, Alvarez says, Murray asked if anyone knew CPR and admitted that he had never performed the life-saving procedure before.
A paramedic sent to Jackson's rented mansion testified that he saw Murray scoop up three bottles of lidocaine from the floor and place the vials in a bag during efforts to revive the pop star.
Martin Blount testified that he was surprised to see the bottles since the doctor told paramedics he hadn't given Jackson any drugs.
Blount says Murray at one point also wanted to use a hypodermic needle on the King of Pop, which he and fellow paramedics refused.
Dr. Richelle Cooper said Jackson was dead long before he was wheeled into the emergency room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
Cooper testified she authorized paramedics to pronounce Jackson dead at 12:57 p.m., but they declined at Murray's request and because of the singer's celebrity.
After an ambulance ride trailed by paparazzi and more than an hour of efforts in the ER, Cooper officially pronounced Jackson dead at 2:26 p.m. on June 25, 2009.
