7:36pm UK, Tuesday January 04, 2011
Michael Jackson was already dead when his doctor called for help, a preliminary hearing that will decide whether the doctor will stand trial for the star's involuntary manslaughter has heard.
Prosecutor David Walgren said evidence would show that Dr Conrad Murray also tried to cover up the fact that he administered the powerful anaesthetic propofol to the pop superstar.
Dr Murray, who was treating the pop star when he died on June 25, 2009, is accused of negligence by administering a fatal dose of the drug.
"The evidence will show through the expert testimony, by all accounts, Michael Jackson was dead in the bedroom at 100 North Carrolwood prior to the paramedics arriving," Mr Walgren said.
Jackson's mother Katherine and his sister LaToya and brother Jermaine attended the proceedings in Los Angeles.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Murray could face four years in prison and the loss of his medical licence.
The doctor denies the charge.
The pop star was preparing for a concert series in London when he died
The sleep aid is central to the prosecution's case and was a key factor in Jackson's death. It is rarely found outside a clinical setting, where it is mostly used intravenously before surgery.
The prosecution is expected to argue that Murray was absent from the room while Jackson was receiving the drug and failed to have the equipment which could have revived him.
Murray, a cardiologist, was hired by the singer as he prepared for a 50-date concert series in London.
His bill was paid by the promoter AEG, which is facing a civil suit brought by Jackson's mother.
Dr John Dombrowski from the Washington Pain Centre told Sky News that propofol - which also goes by the name Diprivan - was a "very serious anesthetic".
The singer with his mother, Katherine Jackson
"It slowly shuts the body down, so you can observe the patient's blood pressure lowering and a change in their heartbeat," he said.
"This is why propofol needs to be administered by an anaesthesiologist or at least a physician who's trained on how to not only administer the medication but, more importantly, how to rescue that patient."
Tests found other drugs in Mr Jackson's body: three types of anti-anxiety medication, the stimulant ephedrine and a local anesthetic.
The doctor's defence team claims he gave nothing to Jackson that "should have killed him", and that he took all necessary precautions.
They have also hinted at their strategy - that Murray was trying to wean the singer off the drugs, to which he had become addicted to help relieve the symptoms of chronic pain.
The preliminary hearing could take up to two weeks. Pic: Houston Chronicle
They are also expected to argue that Jackson could have self-administered extra quantities of the drug.
Murray has continued to practise medicine since the charges were filed in February and he has successfully fought an attempt to strip him of his medical licence in Nevada.
Even if the judge does decide the case should move to a jury trial, the case could take months.
Legal experts in the US say both sides are preparing carefully for the "highly technical" case.
Former prosecutor Dmitry Goran said: "Dr Murray's livelihood, his future and his liberty are in his lawyers' hands.
"So they will want to ensure everything is ready to go before they argue this case to a jury."
The prosecution is expected to call 30 witnesses and the preliminary hearing could take up to a fortnight.
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