Kai Chase interview on the Today Show back in 2009.
She seems to agree with what Michael told me. He was eating and eating very healthy. She also says he was looking forward to the concerts. Pretty strange that she left for 3 weeks in May due to a contract dispute. When she returned in June she says Michael was very different. Not as vibrant.
thank you so much for keeping this thread running and providing all of us who cannot continuously follow the trial with the latest updates AND above all for your loyalty and dedication to Michael to assist him and help bring out the truth. Thank you also for holding on. Michael is surely very grateful to you for being such a strong support to him : ) . The Love on your board is amazing. Thank you : ) !
If Dr. Conrad Murray is convicted of felony involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to the maximum -- 4 years in state prison -- he will not spend a single day in prison ... and he could end up on house arrest.
A new law went into effect in California on October 1, which says, because of overcrowding, people convicted of non-violent felonies cannot be sent to State prison. Instead, non-violent felons serve their time in county jail.
Law enforcement tells TMZ ... involuntary manslaughter is a non-violent felony, which means if Murray is convicted he'd go to L.A. County Jail.
As for how much time Murray would serve ... L.A. County Sheriff's officials tell TMZ ... Murray would be jailed for half the actual sentence. So if he gets the max -- 4 years -- he would only serve 2.
But there's a twist ... Murray could actually serve way less than 2 years. Because of severe overcrowding, inmates are eligible for house arrest, based on 2 factors -- their prior criminal history, and risk to the community. Murray has a clean record and, as one law enforcement official put it, he poses no risk ... it's not like he's going to go out with a bottle of Propofol and kill people.
So if the jail is filled to the gills, the Sheriff could put him on house arrest with an electronic monitoringbracelet. But one official from the Sheriff's Department told us ... Murray wouldn't be placed on house arrest right out of the box. He would almost certainly do some time before the jailhouse doors would open.
Even though this week's testimony was shortened due to scheduling, it was still packed with plenty of powerful moments. Miss something? Here's your chance to get caught up:
Thank you so much Bonnie for your dedication to sorting the facts from fiction here and for all of the excellent updates. :)
I realize how demanding this is mentally, emotionally and physically and thank you! yet again.
So far everything we have heard throughout this trial has been very one-dimensional and neatly packaged, aimed to paint a cut and dry picture of events that may have happened to cause Michael's death. I feel there are some key aspects that were not broached by the Prosecution.
I hope we will see less "fiction" come our way in the final stage of the testimony.Lets see what the Defense brings to the table...
Love, (((BIG HUGS))) Irina
Last Edited by on Oct 18, 2011 10:53 AM
Dr. Conrad Murray told detectives that he only administered a total of 4mg of the sleep medication lorazepam to Michael Jackson the day he died. Dr. Steven Shafer testified that Dr. Murray must be mistaken, because based on the levels of the drug found in Jackson's blood during the autopsy, Jackson had significantly more lorazepam in his system when he died.
Shafer illustrated the only way Jackson's blood would have the level of lorazepan observed at autopsy is if he got 10 consecutive injections at double the rate Murray claims.
Is it possible that Jackson took more of the medication himself? Or did Dr. Murray administer more of the drug than he said he did?
Watch Dr. Shafer walk through his analysis here:
Complete courtroom coverage of the Conrad Murray trial airs live on HLN from gavel to gavel. It’s also on In Session on truTV from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET every weekday.
Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray are insinuating ... the LAPD did a sloppy job retrieving evidence from Michael Jackson's surveillance cameras the day the singer died -- failing to make copies of crucial footage before it was erased.
The defense's second witness -- a surveillance specialist for the LAPD named Alex Supall -- just testified, he only handed over a few minutes of surveillance footage to investigators, showing MJ arriving home for the last time at around 12:45AM on June 25th, 2009.
As TMZ first reported, Murray's lawyers have had a big problem with how investigators only recorded a small fraction of surveillance footage from that day -- and demanded to see the entire 24-hour tape.
Specifically, Murray's lawyers want to see who entered MJ's house during that period -- footage that could prove their theory that evidence in the house was tampered with.
Problem is ... the cameras run on a 24-hour loop -- so, Supall testified, if the footage hasn't been transferred ... it's replaced with new footage and cannot be retrieved.
Supall said he only copied those few minutes to establish a timeline of when the singer returned home after his last rehearsal on June 24 -- everything else is gone forever.
thank you so much again for your carefully chosen and posted updates. Always very much appreciated : ) !
I would like to past over here some words from the article above:
" In a risky move not to take the stand, the doctor could find his former words being what convicts him as there are INCONSISTENCIES IN HIS STORY AND TIMELINE."
" CONRAD MURRAY COULD CHANGE HIS MIND , but with the witness list already handed in, that is very unlikely."
He not only "could" BUT "SHOULD" !!
Good to see that at least some of all the journalists reporting about this " trial " very attentively and carefully do it and that they are becoming aware of certain facts that do not quite add up here. This should be also valid for the going and handling of the whole "trial." Big Thank to them as well! This is what La Toya had posted on her twitter and FB site this morning:
La Toya Jackson latoyajackson: Please.....Don't Believe Everything You Hear On The Stand!!!! #MurrayTrial @HLNtv
Just one more question to Mr. Phillips: " Do you really seriously think that people believe what you have "testified" ? And not only you?" You should know the line that I will answer you with (in which song it is included) as you were such "a good friend of Michael´s" and so should know his work and we know you all had wanted only the "best" for Michael... But the whole world saw and testified what you thought to be the best for him - a sad and cruel end of his life. With no true friends being around and taking real care of him. So, what is your understanding of "best" ? We understood.... If you really think we would buy that from you, here is the answer: "REMEMBER TO ALWAYS THINK TWICE!"
Bonnie, I hope this will not raise you any problems. This is MY own conviction and responsibility. It should not do that to you. If yes, just delete it, please.
Again, thank you for everything that you have done for Michael and having remained so loyal towards him.
I am very much in agreement with Ute and want to thank you as well for your unflinching loyalty to Michael and your steadfastness and dedication to bringing the truth out about what really happened to him.
And Michael please know you are understood and dearly loved for the incredible, magical person that you are. Please know that we are here and you have our full support.
And dear Ute, I fully agree with all that you said above. You've extracted the necessary points about the current status of the trial and all is very well put.
Yes, Randy Phillips did all he could to paint a rosy picture of Michael's relationship with AEG Live and to gloss over the fact that Michael is now dead as a circumstance of whatever was going wrong under the surface of the preparations for the TII concerts. Mr. Phillips seemed to have little value for the sort of details that were outlined in Kenny Ortega's email, which was revealed in the first day of court testimony.
Speaking of Kenny Ortega, to the best of my recollection, I remember him initially, in various interviews, telling everyone how wonderfully swell and peachy keen things were and that Michael was perfectly fine during the rehearsals for the concert series. This was going on all the way up through the full run of the TII movie. DiLeo did this too. But when DiLeo was brought up in court we heard that "peachy" was not actually the case and that he did alert Dr. Murray to something being wrong with Michael. It is obvious that all of these individuals were involved in making sure to hide the facts in order that the TII movie succeed and that the audience does not get wind of things not going smoothly behind the scenes.
Mr. Phillips comes off as someone whose loyalties were not to Michael the person but Michael the product.
As for Dr. Conrad Murray, this may very possibly be his last chance to come clean. If he truly cared about and considered Michael his friend, as he has stated to the police, and if he truly wasn't in this for the money, as his defense team tried their best to establish during yesterday's court testimony, then I do hope Dr. Conrad Murray will listen to his conscience and TELL THE TRUTH.
Hugs, Irina
Last Edited by on Oct 27, 2011 9:19 AM
Anesthesiologist and Propofol expert Dr. Paul White -- the defense team's final witness -- has altered his original claim that Michael Jackson could have died from ingesting Propofol.
White testified yesterday, claiming his initial theory that swallowing Propofol could have been fatal for the singer -- a theory he included in a prior report for the defense attorneys -- was just a plausible suggestion ... not a foregone conclusion.
During opening statements, the defense argued the The King of Pop may have killed himself by ingesting Propofol ... but has since dropped the claim after a study revealed drinking the anesthetic would not be fatal.
Conrad Murray's Star Witness Held in Contempt of Court
By Howard Breuer
Monday October 31, 2011 06:00 PM EDT
Dr. Conrad Murray
UPI/Landov
Dr. Conrad Murray's defense endured a difficult stretch Monday as his most important expert witness in the Michael Jackson manslaughter case was held in contempt of court and fined $1,000.
Dr. Paul White, an expert in propofol – the powerful anesthesia blamed for the pop star's death – was found to have repeatedly violated the court's orders to refrain from testifying about private conversations with Murray.
"Quite frankly, this constitutes direct contempt of court," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor told White, the defense's final witness.
White has told the jury he believes that Jackson took extra doses of two drugs while Murray's back was turned. White suggested on Monday that it wasn't a suicide attempt and that, "I don't think [Jackson] realized the potential danger."
Monday marked the second time Pastor held White in contempt – the first time was Oct. 21, after White was overheard calling a member of the prosecution team a profanity, which White denies. Pastor ordered White back Nov. 16 for a hearing.
The sanction was ordered after an intense interchange between White and lead prosecutor David Walgren in which White conceded that Murray's treatment of Michael Jackson deviated from standards of care, many of which are delineated in articles and books by White.
White conceded that it was unheard of for Murray to administer propofol in a home setting, that Murray lacked sufficient monitoring equipment for administering an anesthetic, that Murray failed to write notes about his treatment of Jackson, and that Murray should have called 911 sooner.
But White repeatedly refused to concede that these were "egregious" violations.
When Walgren asked if it was true that Murray supplied propofol, White countered that he understood that Jackson procured his own propofol stash as well, and that he believed Jackson could have injected propofol from a partially-filled syringe that Murray may have left in Jackson's bedroom.
Pastor then sent the jury outside and complained that White was supposed to base such responses on Murray's statements to detectives and not any private conversations between White and Murray.
Later in the morning, White testified that he had additional information to share with the jury but the judge told him he couldn't, which Pastor interpreted as a further violation.
Last Edited by on Nov 02, 2011 11:18 AM
The energy is very conflicting. Murray was involved but Michael said specifically to look past Dr. Murray and follow the money. There may have been a little justice today but very little truth about what really happened. It leaves me still very frustrated. People will move on quickly and the case is not even close to closed for some of us.
It's good that Murray faces the consequences of his own actions.
Many people are hiding behind him. I hope the AEG lawsuit next year brings out some culprits. Kenny's email and Frank's call were clearly ignored.
Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2011 3:27 AM
" The energy is very conflicting. Murray was involved but Michael said specifically to look past Dr. Murray and follow the money. There may have been a little justice today but very little truth about what really happened. It leaves me still very frustrated. People will move on quickly and the case is not even close to closed for some of us. "
I agree with what you said above Bonnie and I feel that frustration too. This is why we need to go on. La Toya told on twitter that she will fight until they will all be brought to justice. Let us join her according to our possibilities and remind people that NOT YET EVERYTHING IS REALLY DONE. This was a little step BUT it was one. Therefore it was a good one.
Just one more concerning DiLeo: he had not once betrayed Michael in the past and was fired therefore. I feel that he was one of Michael´s handlers in this case and that he had just to do his job and bring Michael to the concerts. That is all. Therefore the call - this was his job and nothing more. He was not Michael´s friend as he had kept on claiming when he was still alive. And this is one reason why I will not purchase the DVD "Life Of An Icon" (though it might be good) though I appreciate and respect the familiy´s wish to feel about it as a closure. BUT - what has he to do with that? Also Cascio who sold Michael´s music that was taped at their house to $ony and was not allowed to say one negative word about the fake estate. NO!! WE ARE STILL AT THE VERY START WITH JUSTICE AND PEACE FOR MICHAEL!! I am sure that he knows that we are still here for him and that we will go on instead of being silent! Time will unravel the truth and the conspirators!! Michael, hold on! We are still here and we will hold on as well until the last tiny bit of what they did to you is out!! You can rely on us. We Love You <3 : ) ! Keep that in your beautiful heart , please.
IMHO, Warmly, Ute
Last Edited by on Nov 08, 2011 10:01 AM
I'm glad it is all over! Conrad Murray got what he deserved; but will he pay for what he did is the question now?
Some say he will not do time, just probation. Some say home monitoring or very little time. But will he lose his medical license. That is what I would like to see. Otherwise a loaded gun is being loosed back into the public. He would be free to harm someone else with his lack of judgment and common sence.
Maybe Murray has some other recordings (like the one that was heard in court) from Michael, maybe he has sold them to this production company... for what other reasons would he have recorded Michael in such a state? It was ony for money and greed! ---------- "...be alive, be free, feel consciousness, subsciousness, being GOD..." MJ
The repeating burning question everyone is asking of Murray is why he did not call 911 immediately after finding Michael not breathing. It is a very good question. Maybe the answer is that perhaps he knew it was of no consequence.
Dr. Conrad Murray wants to formally address the court when he is sentenced at the end of this month.
The doctor could be jailed for up to four years after he was found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson - who died of acute Propofol intoxication in June 2009 - but has told his lawyers he wishes to testify in front of Los Angeles Judge Michael Pastor.
A source close to Murray - who is currently being held in Los Angeles County Jail pending the hearing next Tuesday (29.11.11) - told website RadarOnline.com: "Dr. Murray wanted to testify, and feels that if he had, there is no way he would have been convicted. Murray is livid that his lawyers didn't put him on the stand and has said he plans on pleading with Judge Michael Pastor for mercy. Murray will admit no guilt, and not take any responsibility for his actions. Murray plans on appealing and wants the judge to give him probation only for killing Michael Jackson."
During the sentencing, it is expected that several Jackson family members will make victim impact statements, and Michael's three children could write letters to the judge that could be read aloud in court.
Changes to Californian law mean that even if Murray is given the maximum sentence by Judge Pastor, he will only serve up to two years in prison and could be eligible to sit out the punishment under house arrest.
"Dr. Murray wanted to testify, and feels that if he had, there is no way he would have been convicted. Murray is livid that his lawyers didn't put him on the stand. . ."
I seem to recall Judge Pastor specifically telling Murray, before the entire court and TV cameras, that he had the right to testify, and that it was the responsibility of Murray's attorneys to make certain that Murray was fully aware of his right to do so. Was Murray not listening to Judge Pastor that day and at that moment? Did he or did he not acknowledge Judge Pastor's statements? I think we know that Murray's attorneys chose NOT to put Murray on the stand, and for what reasons. He never would have survived cross examination, and all parties concerned know it.
This is Murray's impotent and pathetic attempt to change the course of events and verdict reached by the jurors.
Thank you for posting, Bonnie. All I can do is shake my head in complete disgust.
Conrad Murray CaseD.A. Wants Doc to Pay More than $100 MILLION!!!
Prosecutors in the Conrad Murray manslaughter case are asking Judge Michael Pastor to order the doc to pay Michael Jackson's children more than $100 million for their loss.
According to new court docs filed by the D.A., Michael Jackson's kids are "entitled to wages or profits lost due to injury incurred by the victim."
Prosecutors say MJ's 3 kids are victims under the law, and are entitled to restitution from Dr. Murray ... which include wages, lost profits and funeral expenses. The D.A. cites a letter from the MJ Estate, estimating Michael would have made $100 million in revenue from the "This Is It" tour.
As we first reported, the D.A. is also seeking the maximum punishment -- 4 years in State Prison. The D.A. says they are seeking the max because Murray was "risking Mr. Jackson's life every night" by administering Propofol. And the D.A. says, MJ was a "particularly vulnerable victim." And the D.A. says, Murray lied and covered-up his crime.
I find it interesting how the estate ("Branca & Co.") are playing their "good guy" card here. Smooth.(This is a hint to one of Michael's most iconic songs. We know what Michael called them.)
Last Edited by on Nov 25, 2011 7:55 PM
The music industry is full of, ruled by, controlled by and operated by SMOOTH CRIMINALS. It has been that way for many years.
I had a former friend, a music artist manager, who was also a psychic, and I have not forgotten the 7 hour phone conversation we had years ago. Through that conversation, I learned about her work, certain aspects of the music industry, and how managers work in terms of what they do and what their responsibilities are. I find myself thinking of her words and that conversation repeatedly, especially when I think of the people who have managed Michael professionally. It helps learning about how some things work and what goes on by talking to someone who was on the inside and a part of that industry.
Many people, including some who have written books about their professional and personal relationships with Michael, turned left when they should have turned right. Many came out of the woodwork after Michael died, suddenly claiming close friendship with Michael. Many of them were not there for Michael when he may have needed them. Of course, they ALL have the same excuse: Powerful people, 'dark forces,' 'bad influences,' etc, all conspired to keep all these former close friends and business associates away from Michael. I find it fascinating. I guess we're supposed to conclude that Michael was totally incapacitated and incapable of making any rational, intelligent or crucial decisions for himself. I tend to believe just the opposite. Yes, there were times when he was unable to think clearly, but he was fully capable of deciding who and what he wanted in his life, and when he didn't want someone in his life, he made himself unavailable. Constantly changing phone numbers and body guards and security guards were his means - at times - of controlling who and what entered his life and his home.
I think it's time for some of the people making claims of how they wanted to be with Michael or wanted to help him, or were such close friends with him, to finally acknowledge that Michael may not have wanted some of them in his life. Some of those people may have let him down or betrayed him. That statement may or may not include some family members.
Just my thoughts here.
Much love, Carmen
Edited to add: It's also important for me to note that, in all fairness, Michael may have shut some people out because they tried to tell him things he didn't want to hear. Guess what? That makes Michael as human as the rest of us. Those people who truly meant well with Michael and truly wanted to help him know who they are. I just hope they don't write books about it - or him. His personal issues needed to be addressed in therapy; profiting off them via books doesn't help him now - in my opinion. Attempts to reveal certain private and personal aspects of Michael's life must be carefully evaluated and weighed against the possible betrayals such revelations may represent or result in. People writing their books about Michael really need to do some deep internal thinking and soul searching. They need to think about what their TRUE motivations are and what their TRUE purpose is in writing their books.
Last Edited by on Nov 28, 2011 10:39 AM
In his trial testimony Kenny Ortega mentioned that Michael based "Smooth Criminal" on Legs Diamond. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Diamond_(gangster)
Last Edited by on Nov 28, 2011 1:23 PM
Thank you, Irina, for the info about where the inspiration for "Smooth Criminal" came from. I have yet to watch the trial. A friend recorded it for me, and I've transferred the files to my computer, but having the time to sit down and carefully watch it will have to wait. I've seen some bits and pieces on Bonnie's board and on YouTube, but I have yet to see all of it in its entirety. When I do, I'll pay close attention and I'll be taking notes.
My "smooth criminal" comment and reference is a kind of pun and play on words and concepts using Michael's song. It also rings completely true in reference to the music industry. Michael's music does sometimes lend itself to reinterpretation, as we know. His original meanings and inspiration for a song are one interpretation; he (and we) can and do sometimes reinterpret a song's meaning. :)
Much love, Carmen
Edited to Add: Thank you for the link on Legs Diamond. I went to the site and learned a little something new about him. I'll read more about him at a later time. :)
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2011 10:21 AM
Angry judge gives Conrad Murray 4 years in Michael Jackson's death November 29, 2011 | 10:24 am
A judge on Tuesday sentenced Dr. Conrad Murray to four years behind bars -- the maximum punishment possible -- for his part in Michael Jackson's death, saying the doctor’s role in the singer’s fatal overdose was “money-for-medicine madness.”
In blistering and lengthy remarks, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor lambasted Murray for failing to express any remorse for the pop star’s death and suggesting in a recent documentary that Jackson bore responsibility for his own demise.
“Talk about blaming the victim,” Pastor said. “Not only isn’t there any remorse, there is umbrage and outrage on the part of Dr. Murray against the decedent.”
Pastor denied the defense's request for probation.
"The fact remains, Dr. Murray is offended that [his] patient died," Pastor said in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom. And Murray remains a danger to the community, he said.
Murray did not speak before Pastor issued his sentence.
Pastor said that he had been impressed by statements from Murray's friends and family, who talked about his treatment of the poor. He said that he considered the entirety of Murray's life, something defense attorney Ed Chernoff had urged him to do.
But he said he had also considered "the book" of Michael Jackson's life.
"Regrettably, as far as Dr. Murray is concerned, the most significant chapter as it relates to this case is the chapter involving the treatment or lack of treatment of Michael Jackson," Pastor said.
He called Murray's treatment a "disgrace to the medical profession."
“Michael Jackson died not because of an isolated one-off occurrence or incident," Pastor said. "He died because of a totality of circumstances which are directly attributable to Dr. Murray, not some mistake or some accident in the early morning hours of 2009." He said Murray engaged in a "horrible cycle of medicine."
Prosecutors had also argued that Murray should serve the maximum sentence, citing his "lies," "coverup" and "concealment."
"Conrad Murray knew perfectly well that what he was doing was wrong," Deputy Dist. Atty. David Walgren said. "He knew perfectly well that what he was doing was risking Michael Jackson's life."
Over a four-week case, prosecutors painted Murray as a deceptive and incompetent doctor who abandoned his medical judgment in complying with Jackson's request to be given a surgical anesthetic to put him to sleep.
Witnesses testified to many egregious medical missteps -– giving propofol in an unmonitored setting, fumbling at basic resuscitation, keeping no records –- failures that experts said directly led to Jackson's overdose death.
As his famed patient stopped breathing and suffered cardiac arrest under the influence of propofol, jurors were told, the doctor chatted on the phone and sent and received email and text messages. And in the crucial moments after he discovered the singer had stopped breathing, he delayed calling for help and lied to paramedics and emergency doctors, witnesses said.
We were aware of this factor. Surprised? No. Disappointed? Yes. Inclusive of Judge Pastor's stern talk to Murray and overall message, the sentence is still just a slap on the wrist.
Last Edited by on Dec 01, 2011 8:46 AM
Dr. Conrad Murray has just filed an appeal, challenging his conviction for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson ... TMZ has learned.
Murray filed the document in pro per -- which means he's representing himself instead of using a lawyer.
On the portion of the document where a lawyer will usually state his or her firm's contact information -- Murray lists "Men's Central Jail" ... and includes his booking number.
While he is representing himself, Murray is still communicating with one of the lawyers who repped him in the manslaughter trial, Nareg Gourjian.
Gourjian tells TMZ ... "This case presents a gold mine of issues for any appellate lawyer. Dr. Murray is confident that the Court of Appeal will vindicate him."
