RESPONDING TO GERALD POSNER'S RECENT PIECE ON DR. CONRAD MURRAY & HIS BEST DEFENSE, IF CHARGED

Michael Jackson's cardiologist, Dr. Conrad Murray, is seen in this July 7, 2006 photo. (AP)Gerald Posner is the King of Journalism when it comes to the details of Michael Jackson's death. He recently wrote the article, "Defending Jackson's Doctor," (article here) that discusses leaked allegations that Dr. Murray, Jackson's live-in doctor, administered an amount of propophol/Diprivan to Jackson that caused his death.

Mr. Posner proposes Dr. Murray's best defense, if charged, may be that he did not know Michael was using other prescription medication at the time he was using propophol.

The best hope for the defense team is that the toxicology report is Elvis-like. When the original King of Rock ‘n’ Roll died at the age of 42 in 1977, 10 drugs were found in his body. Four were in “significant” quantities: codeine; Ethinamate, a popular sedative-hypnotic med of the 1970s; Quaaludes; and a barbiturate, or depressant, that has never been identified but is usually reported as Phenobarbital. Presley’s body also contained smaller amounts of the painkillers morphine and Demerol; tranquilizers Placidyl and Valium, and Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine.

The more drugs in Jackson’s toxicology report, the better for Murray’s defense. His lawyers could then contend that even if the prosecution can establish that Murray gave Jackson Propofol the night he died, the doctor might have adjusted the dosage, or refused to give it at all, if he knew that Jackson was mixing other prescription medications, prescribed by other doctors, and hidden in the house.

True, the amount of propophol administered must be determined by the doctor's knowledge of the patient's use of other drugs.  But, Dr. Murray had no training whatsoever to use the drug.  Propophol is so powerful and so fragile that only anesthesiologists are trained to use the drug.  Dr. Murray was not an anesthesiologist, he was a cardiologist.

Also, the death of Elvis is quite different than the death of Michael: Michael died in the arms of a doctor who was, at that very moment, allegedly giving Michael an IV injection.  Elvis was allegedly over-prescribed medication by doctors who fed his addiction.  But, Dr. Murray was placed inside of Michael's home and was hired to care for Michael.  There is a direct link between Michael and Dr. Murray; there was no specific doctor linked to the death of Elvis.

Dr. Murray will look like a damn fool if he says he did not know Michael was using other prescription medication.  Dr. Murray will be held to an even higher standard than the average doctor because he was living with Michael and administering medication to him on a daily basis.  Even if Dr. Murray didn't know of Michael's drug abuse, he should have known. Dr. Murray's permanent presence inside the Jackson home raises the standard of duty and care to Michael.

If propophol really did kill Michael Jackson, Dr. Murray will be charged with murder...

P.S. Thank you, Gerald, for your great writing!

www.xpunged.com and www.tamaraholder.com