Dr. Murray's Defense: Jacko Killed Himself

Defense will claim pop star gave himself extra dose of Propofol: prosecutor
By Polly Davis Doig,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 30, 2010 6:31 AM CST
Dr. Murray's Defense: Jacko Killed Himself
In this Feb. 8, 2010 file photo, Michael Jackson's physician, Conrad Murray arrives for his arraignment at the Airport Branch Courthouse in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

Dr. Conrad Murray, accused of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death, appears to be taking a novel approach to his defense: Claim the King of Pop killed himself. Or so says the prosecution, reports the AP. "I do think it's clear the defense is operating under the theory that the victim, Michael Jackson, killed himself," says a deputy DA. "They don't want to say it but that's the direction in which they are going."

Defense lawyers maintain that up to 150 milligrams of Propofol killed Jackson; Murray has said he gave the pop star only 25 milligrams. His team is hinting that Jackson awoke while Murray was out of the room, and, possibly desperate for sleep, injected himself fatally. A broken syringe was found on Jackson's bedroom floor, with a fingerprint as yet unidentified. A preliminary hearing in the case is set to begin Jan. 4. (In other Jackson news, outrage over a reenactment of his autopsy.)

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