Doctor’s Defense Team Drops Theory That Michael Jackson Drank Rather Than Injected Propofol

Lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray, who is on trial for involuntary manslaughter involving the drug overdose death of Michael Jackson, today dropped their argument that the entertainer may have swallowed the fatal dose of surgical anesthetic, CNN reports.

Murray was employed as Jackson’s personal physician. His defense lawyers in the Los Angeles County District Court trial will now focus on a theory that Jackson used a syringe to take the drug, propofol, while Murray was away from his bedside. The defense also contends that Jackson also took eight tablets of lorazepam, a sedative, shortly before he died.

Jackson’s 2009 death was found to be caused by acute propofol intoxication combined with several sedatives, including lorazepam. Earlier today, a cardiologist serving as a government expert witness testified about six examples of gross negligence by Murray that allegedly contributed to Jackson’s death.

Prior coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Did $150K-a-Month Doc Administer Drug that Caused Michael Jackson’s Death?"

ABAJournal.com: "LA Judge Lectures Lawyers in Somewhat ‘Shambolic’ Manslaughter Trial of Michael Jackson’s Doc"