Defence grills Jackson trial expert
The lead lawyer for the doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death challenged a key prosecution expert about his contention that the physician was responsible for the death of the singer.
Ed Chernoff cross-examined Dr Steven Shafer, who previously testified that the only plausible explanation for the death was that Jackson had been hooked up to an IV drip of the anesthetic propofol then left alone by Dr Conrad Murray.
“That’s a bold claim, isn’t it,” Mr Chernoff asked.
“It’s an honest statement,” Dr Shafer replied.
Mr Chernoff also questioned the Columbia University researcher and professor about his IV demonstration for jurors.
The defence attorney suggested Dr Shafer had drawn conclusions that were not necessarily supported by the evidence. Mr Chernoff said the type of IV line that Dr Shafer used in the demonstration was never found at Jackson’s house.
Dr Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He could face up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical licence if convicted.
Dr Shafer was expected to be the last witness called by the prosecution. After Dr Shafer’s testimony ends, defence lawyers will begin presenting their case.
In a development outside the presence of jurors, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor set a November 16 hearing to determine whether he should find defence expert Dr Paul White in contempt for talking to a reporter in violation of a gag order.
E! Entertainment reported on its website that Dr White called either Dr Shafer or Deputy District Attorney David Walgren a “scumbag”.
Dr White said in court that he did not recall making the statement.
He told Mr Pastor that he had talked to Mr Walgren after the prosecutor pulled a tab from the side of a bottle of propofol that was recovered at Jackson’s mansion.
He said he told Mr Walgren it was “inappropriate to tamper with evidence found at the scene”.
Dr White and Dr Shafer have known each other for nearly 30 years.
In a closed chambers meeting before court started, Mr Walgren asked that Dr White be expelled from the courtroom for the remainder of Dr Shafer’s testimony.
The judge declined, and Mr Chernoff said he was embarrassed by the incident and he would ensure it did not happen again. He said Dr White had been hurt by Dr Shafer’s criticism of him during testimony.
Mr Pastor previously ordered Mr Chernoff’s partner, Matt Alford, to appear at a contempt hearing over comments made during a network TV interview.
