Defense counsel for Dr Conrad Murray, charged with the involuntary manslaughter of pop star Michael Jackson, is arguing that the late singer voluntarily drank from a bottle of the powerful sedative propofol before lapsing into unconsciousness, reports People.
Propofol is a potentially fatal sedative that is normally injected in careful amounts in a hospital setting. The doctor pleaded not guilty to the charge which is scheduled to go to trial on March 24.
According to a police affidavit, Dr Murray told police that Jackson craved propofol to treat his insomnia, and that he referred to the drug as his “milk.” Murray’s lawyers plan to make the case that Jackson voluntarily ingested the drug when Murray was out of the room.
Potential expert witness, anesthesiologist Dr Barry Friedberg says there is some evidence of traces of the drug in Jackson’s digestive system, which could have gotten there from drinking the sedative. However, he said it’s the doctor’s responsibility to create a "safe environment" by carefully monitoring a patient’s breathing.
"I’m curious as to how "safe" Dr. Friedberg thinks a doctor must be to prevent a patient from injecting himself or drinking a drug when he leaves the room," lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff told People magazine.
During the preliminary hearing, prosecution witness Dr. Richard Ruffalo conceded under cross examination that it was plausible that Jackson "self-ingested" some of the propofol.