(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Dr. Conrad Murray asked paramedics to continue trying to revive Michael Jackson even after theyd been authorised to declare him dead, a court has heard.
The 50-year-old pop icon died on June 25 2009 of acute Propofol intoxication by intravenous injection of another. Propofol is a powerful anaesthetic usually given to surgery patients to help them sleep.
Murray, Jacksons personal physician, has been charged with his involuntary manslaughter, which he denies. A preliminary hearing began in Los Angeles this week, during which it will be decided if he should face a full trial. It will last around two weeks.
Yesterday, Dr. Richelle Cooper, who pronounced Jackson dead at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre in Los Angeles, took to the witness stand. She alleged the star had passed away long before arriving at the clinic, saying there were no signs of life upon his arrival.
Cooper explained she had given paramedics the go-ahead to declare Jackson dead at his rented mansion, but they didnt as Murray had desperately asked them to keep working on him.
Murray went with Jackson to hospital, where Cooper and Dr. Thao Nguyen were waiting for them. He was described as devastated, as he asked medics to continue resuscitation efforts.
He asked me not to give up easily and try my best to save the patient, Nguyen said.
Jackson was declared dead an hour after his arrival at hospital. Cooper added Murray did not tell any medical staff at the clinic that Jackson had been given Propofol.
A Los Angeles County Coroner's Office investigator told the court 12 bottles of the anaesthetic were found at Jacksons home, including two in his bedroom. One of those was empty, and at least ten other medications were also found.
The hearing has previously been told Murray allegedly delayed contacting medics after realising Jackson was ill. He also reportedly made several phone calls when he should have been monitoring Jackson, and yesterday one of the people he spoke to gave evidence.
Sade Anding, Murrays former partner, said she was talking to Murray for around five minutes when he realised something was wrong with the star. She alleged she heard a commotion, after which she realised Murray was no longer paying attention to her.
I heard commotion as if the phone was in a pocket or something, she said.
Records show Murray called Anding at 11.51am, with emergency services dialled at 12.21pm. (C) Cover Media