Jacko doctor tried to 'hide evidence'

 

King of Pop ... Michael Jackson

MICHAEL Jackson was already dead when his private doctor summoned help, a court heard today.

Prosecutors also said Dr Conrad Murray tried to conceal the fact he administered the powerful painkiller propofol to the King of Pop.
The claims were made as part of a preliminary hearing that will determine whether Dr Murray will stand trial for involuntary manslaughter.

In court ... Dr Conrad Murray

Jackson died in June 2009 and authorities say Murray gave him a lethal dose of propofol and other sedatives in the bedroom of his rented mansion.
Prosecutor David Walgren said: "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."
Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, declined to give an opening statement.
At the end of the multi-day hearing, a judge will determine whether there is enough evidence for Dr Murray to stand trial.
The Houston cardiologist has pleaded not guilty and his attorneys have said he did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him.
The highly-anticipated hearing opened with a bit of star power.
The prosecution's first witness was Kenny Ortega, a choreographer working on Jackson's final concert series and who later directed the concert film This Is It, which was based on rehearsal footage.
Walgren said he will rely on Murray's statements to police, as well as text messages, phone records and expert testimony to show the doctor should stand trial.
He said evidence will show Murray waited at least 21 minutes to call for an ambulance and ordered a bodyguard to help him clean up evidence before summoning help.
In the most favorable interpretation, Walgren said, Murray waited at least nine minutes before calling paramedics.
The prosecutor explained why they believe Murray waited more than 20 minutes before calling 911.

Walgren said: "A 11.51 am phone call was placed my Conrad Murray and by the evidence contained in the phone records it lasted 11 minutes.
"After 11 minutes the conversation stopped suddenly. The person on the other end tried but was unable to contact Conrad Murray again.
"The evidence will show that this is likely when Conrad Murray first became aware of Michael Jackson's condition."
He then added the doctor also phoned Jackson's personal assistant Michael Amir Williams to ask for help before finally calling paramedics.
Walgren said: "Notably Conrad Murray did not call 911 but Amir Williams saying he needs help right away.
"Michael Amir Williams returned the call and Conrad Murray said Michael Jackson had a bad reaction and to 'get here right away.'"
The prosecutor also said he would call a bodyguard who would testify that Murray ordered him to collect items from Jackson's bedroom.