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The picture Michael Jackson's body on a hospital trolley submitted during the trial of his doctor Conrad Murray. (Source: Al Jazeera)
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The jury in the trial of the doctor accused of killing Michael Jackson was shown a shocking photograph on Tuesday of the singer lying dead on a hospital trolley.
The jurors were also played a tape of Jackson's voice, recorded the month before he died, in which he slurred his words, mumbled and appeared to be heavily sedated.
The disturbing evidence was produced by prosecutors as Dr Conrad Murray, 58, the singer's personal physician, went on trial more than two years after Jackson's death. Dr Murray, who denies a charge of involuntary manslaughter, was accused of "gross negligence, medical abandonment and repeated incompetence".
Prosecutors accused him of being interested not in Jackson's health, but a "$1,50,000-a-month contract" he had for looking after the fragile entertainer and helping him to conquer his insomnia.
Ed Chernoff, the doctor's lawyer later told the court that Jackson had caused his own death by self-administering propofol, an anaesthetic meant for use only in hospitals, and had already swallowed enough lorazepam sleeping pills to put six people to sleep.
Chernoff said that created a "perfect storm" in Jackson's body that killed him instantly when he took the propofol after Dr Murray left the room.
The lawyer said the singer had taken the medication himself because he was "frustrated" that Dr Murray would not give him the drugs he wanted. "He died so rapidly, so instantly he didn't have time to close his eyes," he said.
Jackson died of "acute propofol intoxication", Los Angeles Superior Court was told. In the 80 days before his death on June 25, 2009, Dr Murray ordered more than four gallons of the anaesthetic - a "massive" amount.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren showed jurors the shocking slide of Jackson's pale dead body wrapped in a white sheet. It was stamped "homicide".
He contrasted it with a photograph taken the previous day in which a vital-looking Jackson was seen rehearsing. "What happened during that time frame is that the acts and omissions of Michael Jackson's personal doctor directly led to his premature death at age 50," said Mr Walgren.
"Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray. That misplaced trust cost Michael Jackson his life. He died alone in his bed."
Walgren said levels of propofol found in his body were similar to "when somebody is put out for a surgical procedure". He said: "It is not an agent for the treatment of insomnia. If you are not knowledgeable, competent and prepared it will lead to the death of your patient."
The court then heard a recording of Jackson's voice, apparently recorded by Dr Murray on his iPhone on May 10, 2009, in which he discussed his planned comeback tour, This is It. The prosecution claimed it showed Jackson was "heavily under the influence" and Dr Murray was aware of that.
In the recording Jackson slurred: "It's time to be phenomenal. When people leave my show I want them to say, 'I've never seen nothing like this he's the greatest entertainer in the world.' I'm taking that money, a million children, children's hospital, the biggest in the world. Michael Jackson's Children's Hospital."
As the recording was played Dr Murray sat yards from Jackson's family including his parents, Joe and Katherine, sisters Janet and La Toya, and brothers Jermaine and Randy.
Walgren said that, at the time of Jackson's death, Dr Murray was not certified in any medical speciality. Dr Murray initially asked for $5 million to be Jackson's personal doctor for a year but settled for $1,50,000 a month, the court heard, although the contract was never signed.
He left his practice in Las Vegas to work for Jackson, then began ordering the shipments of propofol from a pharmacist, saying it was for a "large client base".
In 80 days he ordered 1,55,000mg of propofol. He later claimed to have given Jackson just 25mg on the day he died, the court heard.
Dr Murray would spend six nights a week staying with Jackson, giving him drugs to help him sleep, Walgren said. The trial continues.
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