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[ivy]

Debbie Rowe sobs on witness stand while describing daughter Paris Jackson’s ‘devastation’ after Michael Jackson’s death: ‘She doesn’t feel she has a life anymore’
Rowe testified for a second day in the wrongful death trial pitting the King of Pop's children and mom Katherine Jackson against AEG Live, the concert promoter behind his ill-fated 'This Is It' shows.

BY NANCY DILLON / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2013, 5:27 PM
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Debbie Rowe arrives to testify at Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.
MARIO ANZUONI/REUTERS

Debbie Rowe arrives to testify at Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday.

Michael Jackson's ex-wife wailed in anguish on the witness stand Thursday as she described the "devastation" that nearly claimed her only daughter with the King of Pop.

"Their father is dead…I almost lost my daughter," Rowe said through loud sobs when asked about the fallout from Jackson's fatal overdose in June 2009.

"She is devastated, she tried to kill herself," Rowe moaned, describing 15-year-old Paris. "She doesn't feel she has a life anymore."

Debbie Rowe testified a day earlier that doctors were taking advantage of Michael Jackson’s overwhelming fear of pain.
FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Debbie Rowe testified a day earlier that doctors were taking advantage of Michael Jackson’s overwhelming fear of pain.

When a lawyer for Katherine Jackson suggested that Michael's death wasn't something Rowe contemplated when she made the "sacrifice" of giving him full custody of their kids, the former dermatologist's assistant snapped back.

"My children were never a sacrifice," she said, breaking down to the point that she needed time to compose herself outside the courtroom.

Rowe, 54, testified for a second day in the wrongful death trial pitting Michael's kids and mom Katherine Jackson against AEG Live, the concert promoter behind his ill-fated "This Is It" shows.

Paris Jackson had been spending more time with Debbie Rowe before her hospitalization.
BLUE WASP / SPLASH NEWS/BLUE WASP / SPLASH NEWS

Paris Jackson had been spending more time with Debbie Rowe before her hospitalization.

PHOTOS: MICHAEL JACKSON'S LIFE IN PHOTOS

Katherine and the kids claim AEG should pay some $1 billion for negligently hiring the doctor convicted of providing the singer with the surgery-strength anesthetic that killed him.

AEG claims Michael hired Dr. Conrad Murray and had a secret history of using the anesthetic to treat his insomnia.

A photo of Michael Jackson with Debbie Rowe and children Prince Michael and Paris Jackson shown in the courtroom.
HANDOUT

A photo of Michael Jackson with Debbie Rowe and children Prince Michael and Paris Jackson shown in the courtroom.

Paris' early June suicide attempt - in which she reportedly took 20 Motrin pills and slashed her arm with a kitchen knife - came up after Rowe described her decision to bear Michael's kids.

She said the "Thriller" singer was "devastated" when Lisa Marie Presley filed for divorce in 1996, and she wanted to ease his pain. Rowe said she asked him what made him "saddest," and he said it was the fact they never had kids.

"I said, 'Let me have a baby with you,'" Rowe told the Los Angeles jury. "It took him a couple weeks going back and forth, thinking about it, and we talked about it."

Another photo shared in the courtroom shows Debbie Rowe and son Prince Michael as a baby.
HANDOUT

Another photo shared in the courtroom shows Debbie Rowe and son Prince Michael as a baby.

Rowe never elaborated on how they pursued conception, but she described in intimate detail the afternoon she rode her Harley Davidson motorcycle across the San Fernando Valley to meet Michael on the Van Nuys Airport set of his 1996 short film "Ghosts" and break the baby news.

RELATED: DEBBIE ROWE TEARFUL OVER *****'S 'INCREDIBLE' FEAR OF PAIN

Michael was getting ready to do a shoot, she recalled, but she convinced him to hop on the back of her Harley so they could find a private spot to talk.

An exhibit photo shows Debbie Rowe giving son Prince Michael a kiss.
HANDOUT

An exhibit photo shows Debbie Rowe giving son Prince Michael a kiss.

"I said, 'You're going to be a dad!' I was pregnant," Rowe recalled. "He was so excited, he ran around the tarmac screaming."

She said Michael recorded cassette tapes that she would play on headphones over her pregnant belly so the baby would know his voice.

"He was amazing," she said of Michael's performance as a new dad for Prince.

Michael Jackson rehearsing for his tour at L.A.’s Staples Center in June 2009.
KEVIN MAZUR/AP

Michael Jackson rehearsing for his tour at L.A.’s Staples Center in June 2009.

Rowe said Michael was equally over the moon when he learned that Paris was on the way.

"I told him, 'You're going to be so whipped,'" Rowe testified. "Before anyone knew I was pregnant with this baby, he was shopping for clothes."

RELATED: MICHAEL JACKSON'S MOM: HE'S NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS OD

A courtroom sketch shows Debbie Rowe wiping away her tears.
MONA EDWARDS/REUTERS

A courtroom sketch shows Debbie Rowe wiping away her tears.

Rowe said she had no regrets about "leaving" the kids with Michael when their 3-year marriage ended in divorce in 1999.

"Michael wanted to be a father. I didn't sign on to be a mom. I loved him very much and I still do," she said, breaking down in tears. "I wanted him to be a father, I wanted him to have everything that he didn't have growing up, wanted him to experience it with his own child, his own children."

She agreed with Katherine's lawyer that she "never" would have left the kids with Michael if she thought he was "a drug addict."

A courtroom sketch depicting the tearful testimony of Debbie Rowe.
MONA EDWARDS/REUTERS

A courtroom sketch depicting the tearful testimony of Debbie Rowe.

In testimony Wednesday, Rowe portrayed Michael as the victim of unscrupulous doctors who tried to capitalize on his fear of pain and curry favor with copious amounts of narcotics.

She said the one doctor she trusted was internist Dr. Allan Metzger, the man who would act as Michael's best man at their 1996 wedding in Sydney, Australia.

But under questioning by AEG's lead lawyer Marvin Putnam, Rowe admitted that it Dr. Metzger who sent two German anesthesiologists to Michael's Munich hotel room in 1997 to give the singer 8-hour anesthesia infusions to help him sleep.

Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson posed for a wedding photo minutes after their 1996 ceremony.
BUSINESSWIRE/REUTERS

Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson posed for a wedding photo minutes after their 1996 ceremony.

RELATED: MICHAEL JACKSON NEARLY OVERDOSED, FAMILY STAGED AT LEAST 10 DRUG INTERVENTIONS: BROTHER

She said Michael was desperate for sleep and told Metzger that Xanax wasn't strong enough to do the job.

"He said he was at the end of his rope, he didn't know what else to do," she testified Wednesday.

"I said, 'What happens if you die?'" she recalled. "(But) I don't think he was worried about it. He was just more worried about not sleeping."

Rowe said she stayed for much of the overnight treatment with propofol but had to go back and forth to care for 5-month-old Prince.

When Michael woke up, he claimed he was in better shape, she recalled.

"He said he felt better," she said.

Under questioning by Katherine's lawyer, Rowe said the treatment didn't appear to be a dark secret.

She said the doctors brought their equipment through the front door of the hotel with the help of security.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...n-*****-death-article-1.1428194#ixzz2c4qGdPUz

 

[ivy]

Sobbing Debbie Rowe recalls Paris Jackson's suicide attempt

By Jeff Gottlieb and Kate Mather
August 15, 2013, 1:52 p.m.
Michael Jackson's children have often been fodder for rumor, gossip and speculation -- so much so that Jackson tried to shield them from prying paparazzi by having them wear masks.

On Thursday, Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex-wife and mother of his two oldest children, took the stand in the Jackson family's wrongful death suit, and offered brief insights into their lives.

Asked about her relationship with 16-year-old Prince, who attends a private high school in the San Fernando Valley, she shrugged.


"We don't hate each other, if that's what you mean," she said. "I'm closer to my daughter."

Rowe said she and Paris, 15, began seeing each other at the end of March. She said they talked on the phone and texted frequently and that Paris stayed with her on weekends.

Rowe, who raises quarter horses in Palmdale, sobbed as she explained how Jackson’s death has affected Paris, referring to a June 5 suicide attempt that sent her to the hospital.

“I almost lost my daughter,” Rowe said. “She is devastated. She tried to kill herself.… She doesn’t feel like she has a life anymore.”

The judge ordered a short break so the sobbing Rowe could compose herself.

While Rowe testified during her day and a half on the stand about Jackson's use of drugs to alleviate pain from medical procedures, her testimony also humanized a well-known eccentric.

The jury seemed to hang on every word of Rowe's testimony, which included details about Jackson's illnesses -- and his feelings about his skin condition.

“He’s very shy. For him to have all this going on and to be in public, it was really really difficult for him,” she said.

The singer was embarrassed of his skin conditions, she said, and compared himself to the Elephant Man.

Jackson’s vitiligo — where skin loses pigment in patches — “would come and go,” Rowe said, but grew progressively worse. He made a decision to “depigment” his skin because he couldn’t find decent makeup, she said.

“Everybody says he bleached himself, which he didn’t,” she said.

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
Green is a sports medicine specialist meant to rebut the testimony of the plaintiff's conflict of interest expert, Gordon Matheson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Not sure how much detail I'll get out about Slavit's testimony tonight.
Court resumes tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. PDT with Dr. Gary Green.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
After the lunch break, AEG Live played the deposition of Dr. David Slavit, who performed the “This Is It” physical for insurers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Rowe was then excused from the witness stand after that, and the jury was sent to lunch.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Chang asked one last final question, about whether Jackson did the best he could with his medications.
Yes, she said, very faintly.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Lastly, Putnam asked whether Rowe had any firsthand knowledge of Jackson’s care after the couple was divorced. She said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Rowe didn’t know when the video was shot and said she couldn’t tell if it was before or after the treatments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam asked about the video of Jackson performing in Munich and whether that was before or after the propofol treatment.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Metzger initially suggested Jackson take a Xanax pill, but Jackson said he had tried that and it hadn’t worked.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
She said the doctors came after she & Jackson talked to the Metzger.
The German docs brought lots of monitoring equipment.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Putnam asked about Metzger’s role in arranging the propofol treatment in Germany.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
... that it wasn’t possible to become addicted to propofol.
She did say she told Jackson to stop taking all drugs when he was in rehab.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Putnam also asked whether Rowe was concerned that Jackson might be addicted to propofol. She said she asked about it, but was told ...(cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Putnam: “You were concerned he might be coming in for the drugs?”
Yes, Rowe replied.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
“I didn’t understand why he would come in twice in one week,” Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
He asked Rowe about her concerns that Jackson was coming into Klein’s office for more than just collagen treatments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
AEG Live attorney Marvin Putnam took over questioning. He was relatively brief.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Chang concluded her examination. Rowe was incredibly upset by this point. The court took a short break before resuming.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
“She is devastated. She has no life. She doesn’t feel she has a life anymore," Rowe said of her daughter, Paris Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Chang asked if Rowe had spoken to Paris about her father’s death. “She is devastated,” Rowe said. “She tried to kill herself.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Rowe covered her face with her hands and he objection was sustained. She told the jury, “I almost lost my daughter.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
“Their father is dead,” she said in a raspy voice, and then started to mention Jackson’s schedule. AEG Live’s attorney objected.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Chang asked how Paris had been affected by their father’s death.
Rowe broke down and stayed silent for several moments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Rowe said efore Paris’ hospitalization, she and Paris were communicating daily and she was spending weekends at Rowe’s ranch.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Rowe was then asked about her relationship with Prince and Paris. She said she was closer to Paris than Prince.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Chang asked whether Rowe saw the “This Is It” film, and how she thought Jackson looked. “He looked horrible,” she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Rowe said she was very proud of Jackson’s three children, including Blanket. She said she wouldn’t have left them if Jackson was an addict.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
“I loved him very much and I still do,” Rowe said. “I wanted him to be a father. I wanted him to have everything he didn’t have growing up.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Rowe’s was asked about her decision to leave the children with MJ when they separated and divorced. She said she didn't regret that choice.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Rowe: “I told him, ‘You’re going to be so whipped. She’s just going to have you around her finger.’”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Rowe said when she told Jackson he was going to have a daughter, she told him he was going to be in big trouble.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Chang showed several pictures of Jackson’s oldest children when they were babies, some with the four of them together.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Rowe said she told Jackson and he was so excited, he ran onto the tarmac of the airport where they were filming “Ghost.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Chang then showed a photo of Jackson, in makeup for his short film “Ghost,” riding on the back of her Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Jackson thought about it for a couple of weeks before agreeing to have a child with her.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Rowe said she told Jackson, “Let me have a baby with you. You can have the joy of being a parent.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
She said she asked Jackson why, and he mentioned that he didn’t have children. Rowe said she told her friend that he could still be a father
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
Rowe was then asked about her children with Jackson. She said he was devastated after his divorce from Lisa Marie Presley.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
Chang was trying to make the point that Jackson’s propofol treatment in that instance wasn’t totally hidden.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
In response to questions from Chang, Rowe said the German doctors brought their equipment in through the hotel’s front door.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
She said Jackson was clean, and she was concerned that getting the anesthesia would trigger some sort of relapse.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
Rowe was asked more questions about the propofol treatment in Germany. She said she was worried it would affect him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
After the break, attorneys were rushing to get Rowe off the stand.
It may have been an issue with her attorney needing to leave.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 15m
Rowe threatened to take charge if Trent didn't take care of Mrs. Jackson.
“I can take you Trent,” she said to Trent, who's 6' 1" tall.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Rowe then turned Trent and asked if he was taking care of Mrs. Jackson. She hugged him and told him to take good care of Mrs. Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Rowe held Katherine Jackson’s hand, just as she had done through so many of Jackson’s medical procedures. They hugged for several moments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
The court took the morning break, and Debbie Rowe came over and hugged Katherine Jackson. Rowe was crying.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Chang asked some questions about Jackson received propofol to help him sleep in Munich, Germany on the “HIStory” tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Rowe told the jury that Jackson had so much adrenaline after shows that he couldn’t sleep afterward.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 17m
Rowe asked if Jackson was easily manipulated. “He could be,” Rowe replied. Chang asked if it happened when he was scared; Rowe said yes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Chang also played the music video for “Remember the Time.” Rowe pointed out one of Jackson’s camels from Neverland was in the video.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
The jury was in stitches laughing at the woman clinging to Jackson. She gave a leg kick when security took her off stage.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Chang played a clip of Jackson performing “You Are Not Alone” in Germany. A woman came on stage, clung to Jackson and refused to let go.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Rowe said they had to hide out in the store’s bathroom until Jackson’s security detail arrived.
She said she got in trouble for the trip.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
No one noticed them, Rowe said, until Jackson spoke up and asked about a particular artist.
Then everyone recognized Jackson’s voice.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Rowe said one way she and Jackson would sneak around was she would pick him up in her Toyota Celica. They went to Tower Records one day.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
Jackson’s body was kept for several weeks at the cemetery after his death, and he’s interred at another Forest Lawn cemetery.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
One place where he took Rowe was Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, where they looked at the sculptures and artwork in peace.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
There were very few places where Jackson could go in public and not be mobbed or noticed, she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
... Rowe said Jackson called up Gregory Peck to answer questions about the film. “Michael was tickled,” she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 20m
Rowe hadn’t seen “To Kill a Mockingbird,” so Jackson called her one time when it was on TV. They didn’t know what a word meant, so ...(cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Chang then moved into questions about Rowe’s relationship with Jackson. She said they’d watch movies together, in person and on the phone.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 21m
Rowe was pretty annoyed with some of Chang’s questions, which she said were too general.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Chang asked if she agreed that Jackson never sought out doctors solely to get drugs. “To my knowledge, no," she responded.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Rowe said doctor shopping wasn’t a term she was familiar with back when she was close to Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
It was around this point that Rowe was asked if she thought Jackson was doctor shopping. She said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 22m
Rowe: “When it came to the pain, I wouldn’t say it was dictating, it was more begging for relief than anything.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
She was also asked whether Jackson tried to dictate his care. Rowe said MJ wouldn’t question his doctor’s decisions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
“He always thought doctors would have his best interests at heart,” Rowe said. That was true of Metzger, she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 23m
Rowe reiterated that Jackson trusted and respected his doctor.
“He was very loyal to his physicians,” she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
While there were a lot of professional accomplishments, Rowe noted that Jackson became a dad during that time period.
(It was on the chart)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 24m
There was a little bit of bickering, and Rowe told the attorneys, “But sharing is caring.” Putnam was OK with jurors seeing the timeline.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m
Chang had to show the timeline to AEG Live defense attorney Marvin Putnam, who wasn’t shown it before court convened today.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 25m
Chang showed a timeline of Jackson’s accomplishments between 1983 and 2000, when he and Rowe were close friends.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m
While she wasn’t initially a fan of his music, Rowe said Jackson’s performances were amazing and she wished everyone had seen 1 of his shows
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 26m
Debbie Rowe was also asked about watching Jackson’s shows. She said she would sit on stage so as not to get crushed by the fans.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
Rowe said she felt Jackson was always open and honest with her.
Chang: “Did he ever try to hide any drugs from you?”
“Not that I know of.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 43m
Chang asked whether Rowe remembered Paul Gongaware from the “Dangerous” tour. She did not.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
Rowe: “It wasn't a secret. I used to hang out with the dancers and the people who worked with him.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
Jackson’s struggles with pain medications were well-known on his “Dangerous” tour, Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
Rowe said Jackson “wanted to be able to focus on his work.
She said when he had taken pain medication, they wouldn't go out.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 44m
Chang: “He couldn’t be creative?”
“He couldn’t do anything,” Rowe responded.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
She said she saw him in so much pain, he would have cold sweats, grow pale, and couldn’t see or think clearly when this happened.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Rowe said she would ask Jackson about his pain on a 1-10 scale, and he would get scared if his pain approached reached level 3.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
She said she wanted to make sure her friend was OK, but it wasn’t part of her job to accompany him to treatments outside of Klein’s office.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
Rowe began to break down as Chang asked her to describe her helping Jackson during his medical treatments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 45m
In the end, the keloids got “even thicker and lumpier.” Rowe said another surgery wasn't an option.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
The aim was to get one keloid to contend with on Jackson’s scalp, but it wasn’t successful, Rowe said. It fell apart in 1996 or 1997.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
That’s why Jackson had to have an implant placed under his scalp to expand the skin. That was done by Dr. Gordon Sasaki.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
After the treatments on Jackson, there wasn't enough skin for plastic surgeon Steven Hoefflin to do a scalp reduction.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
“It’s horribly painful,” Rowe said. She said in some treatments, you can hear the skin popping while the medication is administered.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
Keloid tissue is very hard and dense and it requires regular injections to treat. She said an air gun is used for some of the treatments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
Rowe said keloids are extremely painful. On Jackson, they started “mid-scalp and went back to the crown,” she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
A couple photos were shown. None of the pictures Chang showed Rowe to demonstrate medical conditions were of Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
She then explained that Jackson had keloids, a series of lumpy bumps on his skin that sometimes happen to burn victims.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
Rowe was also complementary of Hoefflin’s skills as a plastic surgeon when he first treated Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
“He was almost phobic about needles,” Chang asked.
“No, he was phobic,” Rowe replied.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
Chang asked Rowe a few questions about Metzger. She told the jury Metzger was the best man at her and Jackson’s wedding in 1996.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
... from a rheumatologist (Dr. Allan Metzger) and a dermatologist, (Dr. Arnold Klein.) Both got extra training in their respective fields.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Rowe explained to the jury why Jackson needed two doctors to treat his discoid lupus. She said it needed treatment ... (cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
“As busy as he was, he wasn’t the best person to think about and organize and keep track of his medical care,” Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
Jackson found her honesty refreshing, Rowe said. She began to accompany him to medical appointments to put him at ease, watch out for him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Rowe noted she wasn’t a Michael Jackson fan when they met and she told him so.
“I apparently have no filter, as my daughter says,” she said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Rowe was she and Jackson talked about everything, and that he didn’t want to burden his mother with specifics about his conditions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 50m
Background on the reference to the Elephant Man can be found here: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/184406/Elephant-Man …
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Rowe was asked whether Jackson compared himself to the Elephant Man.
She said he did.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52m
“He was worried that people would see the disease and the disfigurement before they would see him working,” Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52m
Chang: “He felt disfigured?”
Yes, Rowe replied.
Chang asked if Jackson felt embarrassed. Rowe said he did feel embarrassed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 53m
She said any one of Jackson’s conditions would have been difficult for a person to deal with, but MJ had to deal with it in the public eye.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 53m
Rowe, on her role of accompanying Jackson to procedures: “I didn’t want him to feel as hopeless as he felt and as helpless as he felt.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m
Chang then asked about the burns to Jackson’s scalp that occurred during the Pepsi commercial shoot.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m
Vitiligo was one of the reasons that Jackson sought frequent treatment from Dr. Klein, Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 54m
Jackson, in consultation with Dr. Klein, opted to de-pigment all of his skin, Rowe said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m
She said it became clear that Jackson’s vitiligo wasn’t going to go away at some point, and it caused him tremendous anxiety.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m
Rowe said vitiligo was harder to treat in people with darker skin, and explained that the skin lightening can come and go.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 55m
Through photos, she explained to the jury what vitiligo, discoid lupus looked like and their effects.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
Much of Rowe’s early testimony was explaining the medical conditions Jackson suffered from.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 56m
Rowe started out being questioned by Deborah Chang, one of Katherine Jackson’s attorneys.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
The video was of Dr. David Slavit, who performed a physical on Michael Jackson in 2009 for “This Is It” insurance purposes.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
Katherine and Trent Jackson were here for the morning session. They left after the lunch break when AEG played a video deposition.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 57m
We’re done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. Will have some updates coming shortly. Latest story here: http://yhoo.it/15KttNs

 

[Annita]

ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit had been working with Bob Taylor for about 10 years prior to doing physical with MJ.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"I would require permission from MJ to do that (test for opiates or drugs)," Dr. Slavit said. There was no need at the time to test him.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"I was never provided records," Dr. Slavit said. He never contacted Dr. Murray directly to get medical record.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit: My understanding my job was to find out if he was able physically to perform.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit charges: $6,000 for service $3,000 lab and supply $5,849 for travel and hotel
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit gave copy of the record to the Coroner pursuant to legal subpoena. Feb 2009 was the only time Dr. Slavit talked to MJ.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"In the course of reviewing his past medical history there were no surgeries reported," Dr. Slavit said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did you notice any track mark on MJ when you examined him? A: There were none Q: Did you look his arms? A: Yes Q: His legs? A: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Height was self reported also. He told Dr. Slavit he was 5 foot 9. Dr. Slavit received full payment for the physical on Michael Jackson.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Temperature was 98 degrees. Weight: 127 lbs - MJ told him that's what he weighed. Q: Based on your examination, it appeared accurate? A: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

When asked if he felt in good physical condition, Dr. Slavit said MJ responded yes. "That was his answer."
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

MJ told Dr. Slavit he was last examined a couple of months prior for routine. Dr. Murray was identified as personal physician.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Was there any significant change of weight? A: No The question regarding excessive use of drugs or alcohol was circled 'no'.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

There are questions on the form that were filled out during the physical. Dr. Slavit said MJ was the only source of the responses.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

At the time of the examination the form was filled out with Michael Jackson. We reviewed the form before he signed it.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did MJ ask you to prescribe any medication? A: No Michael Jackson signed the forms. Dr. Slavit said he saw MJ sign it.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

There was an acknowledgment of the need for rest or avoidance of exhaustion.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

MJ visited his laryngologist for minor issues, seemed proactive and attune to his health.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit wrote MJ was in good health, good diet and exercise. He interacted with his doctor for routine check ups.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit: He denied any prior medical problem except for the cold.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did he say he had trouble sleeping? A: He didn't say he had trouble sleeping, he didn't say he had insomnia..
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Was he lucid? A: Yes Q: Speech slurred? A: No Q: Tired? A: No
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Q: Capable of control of his health? A: Yes Q: Why candid? A: That's the perception I got
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Form notes MJ was mature, open and candid with Dr. Slavit. Q: Was he capable of making decisions? A: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He used MJ's left arm, and took the specimen himself to the laboratory. Blood work result was normal consistent with MJ being in good health
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did you have difficulty drawing blood? A: I had a little difficulty drawing blood.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit: I assessed his pulmonary status with stethoscope, no further pulmonary test done.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit's form said MJ's vital signs were normal. Heart sound was normal, no murmurs.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"That he was caring for him, that he was satisfied with the care he was getting, that's basically what he said," Dr. Slavit said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did he tell you MJ said he liked Dr. Murray? A: Yes Q: Did he say he was a good doctor? A: I don't know if used that word
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Other than Dr. Kantor no one else was mentioned as providing care, Dr Slavit said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"It was a routine check-up," Dr. Salvit said. MJ didn't discuss the details of the visit.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit: He reported seeing him a couple of months prior to the physical just for check-up.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit explained Murray was identified by Mr. Jackson as his personal physician and reported seeing him as needed.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"Dr. Conrad Murray follows Mr. Jackson on a regular basis," the form said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit didn't see anything that suggested MJ was not telling the truth. He didn't find any typical signs of narcotic intoxication.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"He stated he was not taking any medications other than antibiotics," Dr. Slavit testified.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did he tell you he was taking painkillers? A: He told me he was not taking any painkillers.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He was on short course of antibiotics, Dr. Slavit said, he's not on any other medication.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Note on form says "today's found Mr. Jackson to be in excellent condition." It also says MJ had allergy and a bit of cold.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Did you find MJ to be in great physical condition? A: Based on the informaiton I had, yes
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Patient's name on blood work request: Mark Jones. It's an alias, Dr. Slavit said, just to protect Michael Jackson's privacy.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

The physical was done at MJ's house in Los Angeles, the doctor said. Attorney showed documents doc prepared during and after the physical.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit never received any MJ's medical history, other than what the artist told him during examination.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

The doctor did not ask anything else other than 5 years medical history. He said he was not limited in MJ's examination at any time.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Nothing about prior drug abuse? Dr. Slavit: Not that I recall.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit said insurance broker questioned MJ's breathing capacity, his pulmonary status and overall health.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"There were questions that had been raised by the broker," Dr. Slavit said. He doesn't know specifically what was asked.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit said this is done if there were prior questions of medical health.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"I'd say it's not typical," Dr. Slavit testified about getting 5 years prior of medical history, but he had done before other than MJ.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"Yes, I requested to reviewed the prior 5 years of medical records," Dr. Slavit said. He wanted to be as accurate as possible.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

"It was my understanding he was going to perform," Dr. Slavit said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Bob Taylor contacted Dr Slavit somewhere in the months prior to the physical. "He basically asked if I would agree to do the physical on MJ"
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

On Feb 4, 2009, Dr. Slavit conducted a physical on Michael Jackson in connection with a performance cancellation insurance.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit said he's done approximately 20 times for Robertson Taylor, insurance broker.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

The majority of times, check comes from the insurance broker. He's done physicals in hotels, rehearsal studios, artist's home, office
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He said he's done approximately 30 physicals for performance cancellation insurance, mostly for singers, but not all.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Q: Who typically contact you for performance cancellation insurance? Dr. Slavit said it's usually insurance broker or artist management.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He said he checks vital signs, ear, nose, throat, neck, eyes, examination heart, lungs, abdomen and peripheral pulses.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit has performed physical for performance cancellation insurance.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He explained the difference of physicals: problem-focus, more complete and comprehensive.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

Dr. Slavit performed physical exams in hundreds of patients. He has performed physical for purposes of insurance, he said.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

He's licensed to practice medicine in New York and New Jersey. He's never been suspended.
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ABC7 Court News ‏@ABC7Courts 10h

AEG called their next witness, Dr. David Hal Slavit, via video deposition. He's a board certified otolaryngology.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 70 - August 15 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Michael Jackson, Debbie Rowe, Prince and baby Paris. pic.twitter.com/koxA1CDj9D
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Debbie Rowe and Prince. pic.twitter.com/WYAOHjePC4
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Debbie Rowe and Prince. pic.twitter.com/zBLa0ZySSM
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Michael Jackson, Debbie Rowe and baby Prince. pic.twitter.com/wlKsrmGDjy
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Wedding day of Debbie Rowe and MJ. Dr. Metzger was the best man. pic.twitter.com/NUmq0x4gf3
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
The Harley ride where Debbie Rowe told Michael Jackson he was going to be a dad. pic.twitter.com/3IVWr4TLRf
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
We'll bring you the complete coverage of his testimony as soon as we can. Remember, judge does not allow live tweets.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Dr. Green will opine on conflict of interest. He's called to counter Dr. Gordon Matheson testimony earlier in the trial.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Dr. Gary Green, AEG's expert, sports medicine expert, is the next witness. Attorneys told the judge he's expected to last all day.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
That ended the testimony. Court was adjourned and jurors ordered to return today at 9:30 am PT.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Q: Did Mr. Jackson deny anything you requested of him?
A: No
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Q: If you had any suspicion that MJ was using opioids or other drugs improperly, you'd you have tested him?
A: I may have
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Dr. Slavit was at MJ's house between 2.5 and 3 hours for the physical.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Dr. Slavit said he examined inside MJ's nose and how it looked.
Q: And did it look ok?
A: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Dr. Slavit did not know where the rumors came from.

Q: Was it clear to you that MJ had plastic surgery?
A: Yes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Yep! Just out of twitter jail.... ugh!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4h
Q: Did Mr. Taylor tell you MJ was being badly mauled in the press in England and that it was getting difficult to obtain insurance?
A: No

 

[ivy]

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 71 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 20m
Green is expected to be on the stand all day. He's being questioned by AEG Live attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 20m
... for the Jackson vs AEG Live civil case.
Green says it's more analogous to a case involving typical patient-doctor dynamics.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 22m
Green, who works with Major League Baseball and has worked with US Soccer and the NCAA, says sports medicine is the wrong analogy ... (cont)
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 22m
I'll have some updates on Dr. Green's testimony out later. His testimony is trying to refute the conclusions of another expert, Dr. Matheson
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 26m
We're on a break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Dr. Gary Green is on the stand this morning.
No Jackson family members in court today.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 18m
Judge broke session for lunch. Trial to resume within 30 minutes. Stay tuned!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Dr. Green said Dr. Murray disregarded the Hippocratic oath, standard of care and probably violated prescribing rules.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
"Physicians are under the obligation, regarding any interest, to put their patients first," Dr. Green expressed.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
Dr. Green: Physician's duty to the patient is paramount, and that's the number one priority and what doctors should always be concerned.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
Dr. Green said Dr. Matheson wanted AEG to go around MJ and find another physician for him.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
"Continuity of care is a very important principle," Dr. Green explain. That way the doctor knows the history of the patient.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
Dr. Green: AEG Live looked at other possibilities and in response MJ, a competent adult, said no, I want my own doctor.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
"In this case, MJ chose Dr. Murray as his own physician and wanted him to go on tour," Dr. Green opined.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
"Patients and competent adults have the right to choose their own physician," Dr. Green testified.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
"Not only do I disagree with Dr. Matheson's conclusion but the manner of which he came to his conclusion," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Dr. Murray re-ordered Propofol on April 28, 2009, Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Dr. Green: I think it's very clear the relationship of Murray-MJ pre-date AEG being involved. Furthermore, his use of Propofol pre-dates AEG
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Dr. Green pointed out that all of that happened before AEG Live had any knowledge of Dr. Murray.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
On April 6, 2009, Dr. Murray ordered Propofol to be shipped to LA, the expert said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Kai Chase testified Dr. Murray was frequently at Carolwood house in April, May and June 2009.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Dr. Green: MJ had a physical in 2009 with Dr. Slavit. He asked who was his personal physician and MJ said Dr. Murray.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Timeline per Dr. Green:
2006 -- Dr Murray begins treating Jackson family
January 2009 -- Dr. Murray treated Prince and Michael in LA
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
"There's no evidence of Michael Jackson use of Propofol to AEG," Dr. Green opined.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
"If Dr. Matheson is correct and terms of contract influenced Murray's behavior, he started treating him way before contract draft" he said
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 24m
First draft of the contract was June 16. "Dr. Murray's behavior in this case and care to MJ began way before that," Dr. Green explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
The expert said that in all the meetings, there were several people present, which supports the fact there was no secrecy.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
He said family/friends may tell him things that the patient wouldn't.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
Dr. Green said that it's not unusual for family/friends to call him to talk about a patient he's about to see.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
"I believe that it further demonstrates Dr. Murray's independence from AEG Live."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
Dr. Green pointed out Dr. Murray asked to change the contract to limit him to perform services requested by artist, not producer.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
"He asked to keep money for the entire money should he be discharged mid-month," Dr. Green testified.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
The expert said Dr. Murray requested Kathy Jorrie to change the contract to have more independence.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 27m
Dr. Green said Dr. Murray refused to provide his own medical records of MJ to insurers. MJ denied releasing the medical history.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 27m
"If Dr. Murray were taking orders from AEG Live, he'd not have told people to stay in their lane," Dr. Green opined.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 28m
"AEG was not controlling Dr. Murray," Dr. Green said. "He acted independently from AEG."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 29m
"If there was any secrecy was between Murray and MJ," Dr. Green opined. "There's no evidence AEG was aware Murray was giving MJ Propofol."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 29m
"That was selected by Michael Jackson," Dr. Green opined. "There was no secrecy, he requested Dr. Murray to go on tour."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 29m
Dr. Green: Dr. Murray knew AEG Live would be advancing the money on behalf of MJ, MJ knew AEG would advance the money.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 29m
Dr. Green: It was to be signed by Dr. Murray, MJ and AEG Live. There was nothing hidden.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 30m
"There's no secret arrangement," Dr. Green said. "In this situation, everything was out in the open."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 30m
- Evidence does not support claim that AEG Live directed medical care
- Timing of contract drafts doesn't support Matheson's claims
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 30m
* Refused to provide medical records to insurers
* Requested contract changes to increase independence
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 30m
* Advised MJ not to go to rehearsal
* Told tour personnel to "stay in their lane"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 31m
- No secret arrangement - Jackson requested Dr. Murray
- Dr. Murray demonstrated independence from AEG Live
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 31m
2- Facts Don't Support Alleged Conflicts
- Health interests of MJ, Dr. Murray and AEG Live were aligned
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 31m
"It was Dr. Murray's interest to keep MJ healthy to have him perform the shows," Dr. Green opined.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 32m
Bina: If there were no tour, do you have any reason to believe Dr. Murray would be paid $150,000 a month?
Dr. Green: No, I do not.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 32m
"AEG Live needed a healthy MJ to be in good health, this was a long tour," he expressed.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 32m
"Dr. Murray wanted MJ to be healthy, it's his ethical obligation and he wanted him to complete the tour," he said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 32m
"MJ wanted to remain healthy to do the tour," he said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 33m
Dr. Green explained that in order for conflict of interest to exist, each party had to have different interests.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 33m
Dr. Green explained the Jackson family claim there was conflict between AEG and Murray to influence the type of medical care used with MJ.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 34m
Dr. Green said one of the articles Dr. Matheson used is entitled "The Unique Aspects of Sports Medicine," and this is not the same.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 34m
Dr Green said plaintiffs hired Dr Matheson to say that this was a sports medicine analogy. "It's just not the correct analysis in this case"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 34m
Dr. Murray was not allowed to share any information wit AEG Live or anyone else, the doctor testified. There's no release form to share info
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 34m
Doc said in team sports player, coach, team, public have the right to information from doctor. In private practice/this case only patient.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
The expert said there's no evidence Dr. Murray has been asked to treat anyone else but MJ and perhaps the children.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
At one point, AEG explored other options and MJ wanted his physician, Dr. Green testified.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
Dr. Green: MJ brought Dr. Murray to the attention of AEG Live and MJ insisted to bring the doctor on tour.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
"In my private practice, I'm selected by the patient." Dr. Green said. "They choose whether they want to come see me or not."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
Dr. Green said in team sports, the team or school chooses the doctor. In primary care practice and in this case, MJ chose the doctor.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 36m
1- Sports Medicine is the Wrong Analogy

A: Who selects doctor?
Team Sports: Team/School
Primary Care Practice: Patient
This Case: Patient
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 37m
Dr. Green said through experience doctors learn very quickly how to manage conflicts and have the patient's best interest first.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 38m
"Doctors have ethical obligation to do no harm to the patient," he said. "There's conflict of interest on a daily basis between doc/patient"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 39m
Dr. Green said this case is much closer to regular doctor-patient medicine than sports medicine.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 40m
3- Conflict of interest alleged did not lead to poor medical care
4- Dr. Matheson disregarded key principles to reach his conclusions
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 40m
Dr. Green's opinion:
1- Sports medicine is the wrong analogy
2- Facts don't support conflict of interest alleged by Dr. Matheson
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 41m
Bina asked if he agrees with Dr. Matheson this is a conflict of interest case. "I disagree with Dr. Matheson completely," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 41m
There will be about $25,000 to $30,000 to be billed, total approximately $50,000.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 41m
The doctor said he spent about 115 hours in this case, bills $500 per hour. He said he's billed approximately $20,000 to $25,000 up-to-date
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 42m
Dr. Green reviewed extensive material, deposition and trial testimony in this case.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 42m
The expert said he was surprise being called in this case, since it has nothing to do with athletes.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 42m
Dr. Green worked with O'Melveny & Myers before in a case involving Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 42m
Dr. Matheson testified earlier in the trial on behalf of plaintiffs.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 43m
Dr. Green said he has similar or greater experience that Dr. Gordon Matheson, since Dr. Matheson doesn't have private practice.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 43m
Dr. Green said before athletes know what medical problem they have, they want to know when they can play next.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 43m
He said he always wanted to be a family doctor and treat patients for all their lives.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 43m
Dr Green said sports medicine is somewhat like regular medicine. "Doctors should do no harm; doctors should do what's best for the patient"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 44m
Dr. Green is the team physician for the US Soccer team and Pepperdine, worked in Olympic Games of 2002, MLB, NCAA, was UCLA team physician.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 45m
He's also a clinical professor at UCLA and a partner at primary care group, sees general patients as well.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 45m
The doctor conducts research on behalf of MLB at UCLA pathology department regarding enhancement drug use.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 45m
He oversees medical care of athletes both in minor and major leagues of baseball, also sees general students at Pepperdine, not just athetes
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 46m
He's currently the head team physician for Pepperdine University and is the medical director performance enhancement drugs for MLB.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 46m
Dr. Green is a doctor board certified in internal medicine and sports medicine.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 46m
AEG called their next expert witness, Dr. Gary Green. Attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina is doing direct examination.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 47m
After jury entered the room, plaintiffs attorney Brian Panish announced he has rested their case in chief, subject to conclusion with Ortega
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 48m
Day 71 ofJackson family vs AEG trial -- Week 16, is under way. We're on lunch break now.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 53m
Panish told the jury that the plaintiff's case officially ended after Kenny Ortega's testimony was done.
Judge called it a "formality."
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 53m
Plaintiff's resting will allow for argument on an AEG motion to dismiss the case at some point.
No word on when those arguments will happen
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 54m
The judge said it didn't foreclose Panish from calling additional witnesses during his rebuttal case.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 55m
... but Judge Yvette Palazuelos told him she would tell the jury the plaintiff's case was done if he didn't.
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 55m
In addition to testimony, one development this morning was that the plaintiff's rested their case.
Attorney Brian Panish didn't want to ...
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Anthony McCartney ?@mccartneyAP 58m
We're on the lunch break in Jackson vs. AEG Live.
AEG wrapped up its direct examination of Green, cross-examination begins at 1:30 p.m. PDT

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Dr. Green said he believes Dr. Murray was board certified but it had lapsed in 2008. Murray does not have psychiatry training.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Dr. Green said several people raised questions about MJ's psychological situation.
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"I think you have to put this entire thing in context and the context is that he was concerned with Mr. Jackson's health" Dr Green explained
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Bloss: Because you didn't understand what this meant, this email didn't influence you, correct?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Dr. Green said this email showed Ortega was concerned with MJ's health. He doesn't know what the director meant by "doctor in to the fold."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Bloss showed the email where Ortega said "now that we brought the doctor in to the fold."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
"Dr. Murray wasn't keeping records at this time, but I believe MJ was under his care," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Bloss showed Bugzee's email saying MJ was basket case. "Only information that MJ was not in good health on June 19," Dr Green said about it
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Dr. Green didn't receive the "Trouble at the Front" email chain until after he was involved in the case.
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"There was nothing to suggest in the meeting that Dr. Murray was in danger of losing the gig." Dr. Green said.
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"That certainly could create pressure in Dr. Murray to make an outburst like that," Dr. Green said.
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Dr. Green: It could be that Dr. Murray could be feeling pressured he was giving unethical and illegal drugs.
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Bloss asked if it could be that Dr. Murray was feeling pressured by AEG.
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"Assuming that Chase's recollection is correct, I think there are many interpretations of Dr. Murray's outburst," Dr. Green said.
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He would give a little more weight to Gongaware since he was present for the full meeting.
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Dr. Green said Chase wasn't present for the entire meeting, but Gongaware was.
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Mr. Gongaware had a much different account of the meeting than what Chase testified, Bloss said.
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"I read the testimony of of Ms. Chase and that was her perception," Dr. Green said.
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He asked if Chase said Dr. Murray bursted out of the meeting and said "I can't take this s**t anymore."
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Bloss asked about the meeting at Carolwood's house on June 16, 2009, which they called "intervention."
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Dr. Green said he did not ask to meet with Gongaware or Phillips to try to get more information about the email and their intent.
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"No, it would not sway my opinion one way or the other," Dr. Green said.
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Bloss asked if "we want him to understand what's expected of him" mention in the email influenced his opinion.
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"You need to look at the context of this email, you can't just pull out a word here or there," Dr. Green said.
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Dr. Green said he doesn't believe either Gongaware or anyone else at AEG told Dr. Murray "it's AEG, not MJ, who's paying his salary."
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"The fact that it was never communicated to Dr. Murray let me believe it was not influencing," Dr. Green explained.
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Dr. Green: One is Mr. Gongaware's testimony, and further reviewed evidence this was never communicated to Dr. Murray.
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Dr. Green: Now that I responded differently is because I had additional information.
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Bloss asked in deposition whether "AEG, not MJ, paying his salary" email did not influence his opinion, correct? "Yes," Dr. Green responded.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
Dr. Green said in his deposition that nothing in the email supported his opinion. He said he testified differently at deposition.
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Bloss: Even the part that says "AEG, not MJ, paying his salary?"
Dr. Green: Yes.
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Bloss: Is this email material to your opinion?
Dr. Green: Yes, I feel that it supports my opinion.
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"I believe Mr. Gongaware didn't recall this email," Dr. Green said. "Mr. Ortega said he didn't understand what it meant."
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Dr. Green said the best person to ask about this email is who wrote it/received it. Since he's neither, it'd speculation to interpret it.
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Email from Gongaware: "We want to remind him that it's AEG, not MJ, who is paying his salary."
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"This just shows Dr. Murray independence to advise MJ not to attend rehearsal," Dr. Green said.
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Bloss showed email from Ortega to Gongaware on Jun 14, 2009 saying "Are you aware MJ's doctor didn't permit him to attend rehearsals today?"
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Dr. Green charges AEG $3,000 per half day of work, $6,000 for full day.
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Dr. Green said he cannot testify to the exact date because Dr. Murray kept no records to maintain it secretive.
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Bloss: Was Dr. Murray giving MJ Propofol on April 19th and 12th at Carolwood?
Dr. Green: Yes
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"It's not inconsistent somebody seeking drugs from several sources" Dr Green said. "Particularly with that drug which wasn't easy to obtain"
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Dr. Green: We see addicts and they go to multiple sources, I could only speculate why MJ was seeking Propofol from more than one person.
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On Apr 19, MJ asked Cherilyn Lee to find someone to give him Propofol, Bloss said. He asked if it'd be consistent w/ Murray there same day
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Bloss: Do you have information MJ was seeking Propofol from people other than Dr. Murray?
Dr. Green: Yes, Dr. Metzger and Cherilyn Lee.
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Bloss: If a nurse says there were no equipments at the house 4 Murray to inject MJ w/ Propofol on Apr19 is that inconsistent?
Dr. Green: No.
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Bloss: Do you recall MJ asked Cherilyn Lee to give him sleep aid?
I don't recall dates, need to see the testimony.
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Dr. Green said on April 19, 2009, Dr. Metzger went to Carolwood to meet MJ. He said MJ asked for sleep medication.
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Dr. Green said he was not accurate when he mentioned Chase said Dr. Murray was at Carolwood in March of 2009.
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Bloss showed Kai Chase's testimony, where she said she didn't see Dr. Murray as much in April, was there about 3 times a week.
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"I'm sure many doctors have great deal of debt, possibly more than that, and still practice medicine in an ethical manner," Dr Green said
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Bloss asked how about a doctor whose house is about to go on foreclosure, $600,000 in outstanding debt, behind child support payment?
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Bloss: Is $150,000 a month a large incentive?
Dr. Green: It depends on the situation.
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"Financial rewards do not obligate physicians to compromise their medical judgment," Dr. Green opined.
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AMA says: "It's important to recognize that sufficient large incentives can create an untenable position for physicians."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
a) Large incentives may create conflict of interest that can in turn compromise clinical objectivity.
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Code of Ethics of American Medical Association.
Bloss showed opinion of "Financial Incentives and the Practice of Medicine."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
"Regardless financial incentive, it does not take away from physician's obligation to the patient," Dr. Green explained.
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Bloss: Would you agree large incentives can create conflict of interest?
Dr. Green: Yes, financial incentive can create conflict of interest
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Jacksons' attorney William Bloss did cross examination.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 71 - August 16 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
We hope to see you on Monday for full coverage of the trial. Have a safe and great weekend everyone!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
Judge adjourned trial. Attorneys ordered back at 10:45 am PT on Monday, jurors at 1:30 pm PT. Dr. Green returns then.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
Dr Green said he was asked to analyze if this is a sports medicine case and whether or not conflict of interest led to his poor medical care
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Dr. Green sad he's not sure what Phillips meant when he asked "is it chemical or physiological." "I can only speculate."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Dr. Green said he considered all the evidence in the case, since everything is important.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
"Only that AEG was concerned about what was going on and were doing something about it," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Bloss asked if that statement was material to his opinion.
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Bloss showed another part of the "Trouble at the Front" email with Phillips saying "Tim and I are going to see him tomorrow."
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"I do not see anything to change my opinion of conflict of interest in this case," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Dr. Green said he thought Phillips meant that based on Kathy Jorrie's testimony regarding the check she did.
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Bloss talked about "this doctor is extremely successful, we checked him out."
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Panish: I'm sincerely sorry
Dr. Green: No harm, no foul
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
Back in the courtroom in front of jury:
Panish: Your honor, I'd like to apologize to Dr. Green for that laugh.
Dr. Green: Apologies accepted
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
Judge called Panish out, he apologized. Judge ordered all the attorneys in her chambers for quick sidebar.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 24m
Bloss asked about another Phillips' email. Panish laughed out loud when Dr. Green responded he recalls testimony but preferred reading again
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
Bloss talked about the lengthy conversation Randy Phillips with Dr. Murray. He asked if he knew for sure what they talked about. He said no

 

[ivy]

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 72 - August 19 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 72 - August 19 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 72 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 72 - August 19 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Bloss: Do you agree with that?
Dr. Green: Yes, that's a reasonable definition.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
concerning a primary interest (patient's welfare or the validity of research) is unduly influenced by a secondary interest (financial gain)"
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Another article Dr. Matheson brought to his deposition: Conflict of interest refers to a "set of conditions in which professional judgment
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Bloss asked if the agreed with the definition above. "I agree that it's a reasonable definition but not the only one," Dr. Green said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest."
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"Conflicts of interest are defined as circumstances that create a risk that professional judgments or actions regarding a primary interest..
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
The definition Dr. Matheson testified about conflict of interest is not the same formal definition Dr. Green relied upon.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Dr. Matheson brought an article entitled "Conflict of Interest in Medical Research, Education, and Practice" to his deposition.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
After reading his depo, he recalled he had not received it until after the depo and did not consider this email in his conclusion.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Dr. Green said he's not sure if he was given copy of this email to review before or after his deposition.
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Bloss showed email from Hougdahl saying he has watched MJ deteriorate for the past 8 weeks and the singer needed a shrink to get thru all.
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Bloss asked about Phillips saying it was not the right time to introduce a new person into MJ's life after psychiatric help was suggested.
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Dr. Green said he's aware of two people feeling MJ needed psychiatric help and some people being afraid MJ could die.
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"I have no way of resolving which way is true," Dr. Green explained about different accounts of the meeting.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
"Mr. Phillip testified under oath, I credited his opinion," Dr. Green said. He said he also credited other testimony as well, such as Ortega
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Bloss played video depo of Dr Green. He said he accepted as true Phillips' accounting of what happened in that meeting to issue his opinion.
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Dr. Green: It still does not take away Dr. Murray's responsibility with the patient.
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Bloss: Even if Mr. Phillips threatened to cancel the tour, that doesn't change your opinion?
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"It was ultimately up to Dr. Murray to make decisions in the best interest of his patient and he didn't do that," Dr. Green opined.
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"There's seems not to be any evidence that Dr. Murray was pressured," Dr. Green said.
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"There's not requirement that Dr. Murray would have to say that," Dr. Green opined.
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Bloss asked if Dr. Murray said 'sorry, I can't tell you what's wrong because of HIPPA privacy laws'?
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Dr Green said when Phillips asked what was wrong with MJ it could be Murray was following privacy laws not disclosing MJ's medical condition
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Dr Green: In my opinion in this case the health interests were aligned and there were no conflict of interests that led to poor medical care
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"There's a little bit of dispute as to what really happened at that meeting," Dr. Green testified.
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Bloss: Do you recall Dr. Murray telling AEG to "stay in your lane" and that it showed independency?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Bloss showed email chain "Trouble at the Front" and meeting on June 20, 2009. "There were several accounts of that meeting," Dr. Green said
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Dr. Green: Part of it yes, but I may have seen other evidence leading me to that conclusion.
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Bloss: Is the basis of your conclusion that AEG Live did not direct Dr. Murray's action the testimony of Phillips, Gongaware and Ortega?
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Bloss: You said your opinion was based on Phillips, Ortega and Gongaware, correct?
Dr. Green: That was part of it.
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Bloss: Was there any fact inconsistent with your opinion?
Dr. Green: Not that I can recall at this time.
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"In this case, my opinions are the same as I stated the other day," Dr. Green expressed.
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Bloss asked how Dr. Green reconciled any inconsistency in testimonies. He said he looked if any of them relate to his opinion in the case.
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Dr. Green said he has not seen any evidence showing Phillips put pressure on Dr. Murray.
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"There's no evidence that Mr Phillips put any pressure on Dr. Murray in that phone call," Dr. Green explained.
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Dr. Green: Phillips wasn't able to recall the specifics content of the phone call, but he wrote email that could indicate of what was spoken
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Dr. Green: Yes, it appears from Mr. Phillips' testimony he does not have a full recollection of the phone call.
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Bloss: Do you remember Dr Matheson testifying that it didn't appear Phillips had full recollection of phone call between Phillips-Murray?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1h
Dr. Green said over the weekend he reviewed his testimony from Friday, reviewed materials provided earlier and met with AEG attorneys.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
For the latest, watch @ABC7 Eyewitness News at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 11 pm PT, or http://www.abc7.com
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
We'll bring you complete coverage of this afternoon's session as soon as we can. Remember, no live tweets, per judge.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
The attorneys, however, were ordered to appear in the morning to argue about future witnesses.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
Katherine Jackson is not present in court. There is only afternoon session today for the jurors.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
AEG expert Dr. Gary Green is back on the stand. Jacksons' attorney William Bloss will resume cross examination.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 3h
Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 72 of the Jackson family vs AEG trial, Week 17, is to get underway shortly.

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
AEG Live is expecting to call an HR expert to the stand tomorrow.
Attorneys will convene at 9:30 a.m. PDT to discuss various issues.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Green's testimony concluded shortly after that, and court adjourned for the day.
Jury returns at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Green said he didn’t know whether they discussed drug use, medical treatment or any other topics. He only knew what Phillips testified about
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Bloss asked whether Green had any information about what Phillips and Murray discussed on their June 20, 2009 phone call.
He didn’t.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Stebbins Bina wrapped up, and Bloss was able to ask a few concluding questions before court adjourned for the day.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Green said his interpretation of the the emails from AEG executives was that they were showing concern about Jackson’s health.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
... changed his opinions in the case.
Green said they didn’t, because they didn’t indicate AEG was directing Michael Jackson’s care.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Stebbins Bina asked Green about emails he reviewed in the case expressing concerns about Jackson’s health and whether they ...(cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Green said Jackson was aware of incentives to Murray. “Not only was Michael Jackson informed of the financial incentives, he created them.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
“Patients must be informed of financial incentives that could impact the level of care they receive,” one of the documents read.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Green said about one document that it was guidance for physicians only, not for third parties or patients.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Stebbins Bina asked Green about some of the conflict of interest definitions that Bloss asked about.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
“I look at opinions like I would a medical diagnosis,” Green said. He said new info sometimes changes his opinions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Green said when that’s happened in other cases, the lawyers haven’t used him as an expert witness.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
She asked Green what he would have done if his opinion was the same as a plaintiff’s expert. He said he would have told AEG Live’s lawyers.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 7m
Bloss concluded his questioning, and AEG Live defense attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina took over on re-direct.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
The doctor was asked whether he’d ever seen an agreement similar to the one between AEG Live, Jackson and Murray. Green said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Green: “I cannot say within a reasonable degree of medical probability why Dr. Murray committed this crime.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 8m
Bloss also asked about testimony by LAPD Det. Orlando Martinez, who said he believed Murray needed money and that influenced his actions.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
“We have rules for everything, how you wear your socks, how you do everything,” Green said. “It has to do with the competitive balance.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
Green said the MLB policy isn't about conflict of interests, but making sure no team had a competitive advantage.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
... when a player suffers a concussion. He said a team doctor cannot return a player who has a concussion to a game without outside review.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Bloss asked about Green’s work with Major League Baseball, specifically its concussion policy. Green reviews team doctors' decisions (cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Green agreed that many were valid definitions of conflicts of interest, but that he didn’t agree that money always created a conflict issue.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 10m
Bloss read several definitions of conflicts of interest to Dr. Green and asked whether he agreed with them.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
“Assuming he made that threat, that does not change my conclusions,” Green said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Green was asked to assume that Phillips threatened or pressured Dr. Murray, and whether that changed his opinions in the case.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
Bloss asked Green about the 20+ minute phone call that Phillips had with Murray before the June 20, 2009 meeting.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 11m
... after some additional questions by Bloss that Murray’s comments were directed only at Kenny Ortega.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
The doctor initially said he thought Murray had told Ortega and Phillips to stay out of Jackson’s medical care, but Green recalled (cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Green was asked about his recollection of the testimony about a June 20, 2009 meeting between Ortega, Phillips, Murray and Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Bloss asked Green whether that email changed his opinion that AEG didn’t create a conflict of interest for Conrad Murray. Green said no.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
That message told Ortega not to be any amateur psychiatrist or physician and try to diagnose Michael Jackson’s health issues.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12m
Bloss showed Green several emails the jury’s seen throughout the case, including one of AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips’ emails to Kenny Ortega.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Green is an expert on medical conflicts of interest who is testifying for AEG Live. He is refuting testimony by a plaintiff’s expert.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Dr. Gary Green was the witness and finished testifying. He first underwent cross-examination by plaintiff’s lawyer William Bloss.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
We’re done for the day in Katherine Jackson vs AEG Live. No Jackson family members were in court today.
Some updates coming up ...

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 72 - August 19 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26s
We hope to see you tomorrow for full coverage of the trial. Have a great evening everyone!
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 56s
Next witness is Rhoma Young, HR specialist as AEG's expert. She's expected to last all day, most likely.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1m
Dr. Green is then excused. Jurors are ordered to return at 10:00 am PT tomorrow, attorneys at 9:30 am PT.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1m
Bloss pointed out that when Dr. Murray told Ortega to "stay in your lane" if Phillips said anything. He said no.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1m
"That's more than I make at Pepperdine as the team's physician," Dr. Green said. "By a lot." But he pointed out it's not his only job.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1m
In re-cross, Bloss asked if $150,000 a month is large incentive, is it not?
Dr. Green: In general, yes.
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Dr Green said he reviewed testimony Murray was off on Sundays. Apr 19 when MJ asked Lee to find a doctor to give him Propofol was Sunday.
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Dr. Green: The emails I reviewed really showed concern on behalf of AEG and I did not see anything AEG was directing the type of care.
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He said Dr. Klein had seen MJ about 30 times between March and June and in no case he mentioned psychological problems.
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Dr. Green said Dr. Klein saw MJ on June 22. He reviewed the medical records.
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Dr. Green testified that, as a competent adult, you can't make anyone go see a doctor.
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The expert said the fact that Dr. Murray told Ortega to "stay in your lane" proves the doctor was independent.
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Dr. Green said email Phillips wrote showed they were very concerned about MJ's health, proved his opinion that parties shared same interest
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The expert said MJ requested Dr. Murray and suggested the payment of $150,000 a month.
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Dr Green said the statement further proves his opinion. "Not only was MJ the patient informed of financial incentive, he created it as well"
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Bina asked about the article: "Patients must be informed of financial incentives that could impact the level or type of care they receive."
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Bina asked about a doc shown on Friday about conflict of interest. Dr. Green said the document is a guidance for physicians on what to do.
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"The more information I found, the more it strengthen my opinion," Dr. Green testified.
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Dr. Green: My practice is that I present them to the attorneys and whatever they want to do with that is their business, not mine.
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Dr. Green: I considered the evidence and I came to my own conclusions.
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Dr. Green said there has been cases where he gave opinion that the attorneys ended up not using in their cases.
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Dr. Green: I have a great deal of respect for Dr. Matheson. If I had agreed with Dr. Matheson's opinion, I'd have communicated it to AEG.
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Dr Green attended almost all of Dr Matheson's deposition. He said he wanted to hear him saying his opinion as opposed to reading it on paper
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He was also asked to review Dr. Matheson's testimony. Dr. Green listed the depositions and declarations he reviewed prior to his own depo.
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In re-cross Dr Green said he was retained in the case on March 4, 2013 to consider his expertise in sports medicine and conflict of interest
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Based on MJ's physical condition in June 2009, Dr. Green said he has no reasonable opinion whether the tour should've been postponed or not.
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"I agree that the longer the tour went on, the more financial gain Dr. Murray would have," Dr. Green testified.
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Dr. Green agreed Dr. Murray's contract termination could be done by MJ and multiple ways by AEG Live unilateral.
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Dr. Green testified his understanding is that AEG Live was going to advance money to Dr. Murray on behalf of Michael Jackson.
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Bloss: Have you ever seen a three-way relationship between a physician, a patient and a third party?
Dr. Green: No, nothing like this.
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"Not knowing Dr. Murray and not hearing his testimony, I cannot say with certainty why Dr. Murray committed this crime," Dr. Green said.
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Bloss: Is that true you cannot say why Dr. Murray acted ethically in this case?
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"Yes, and I believe he (Det. Martinez) testified it was Dr. Murray's decision," Dr. Green said.
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Bloss asked if getting easy money, $150,000 a month, created an incentive to bend the rules.
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Bloss asked if Detective Martinez suspected financial motive for Murray to violate Hippocratic oath. Dr. Green said that's what he testified
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"I had a general impression that he was in debt," Dr. Green said. He believes his understanding was based on media reports on Dr. Murray.
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Bloss: Does Dr. Murray's financial status matters at all to your opinion?
Dr. Green: No, it does not.
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"There could be conflict of interest in any case," Dr. Green said. Bloss asked if having a sole patient increases the risk. He said it could
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Dr. Green has no experience in the music business, has never worked in concert or for promoter of concerts.
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Dr. Green is a clinical professor at UCLA, approximately 16 hours/week. He said there are clinical and tenure tracks.
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MJ asked Lee to find a doctor who would give him Propofol. Dr. Green said this happened 13 days after Dr. Murray ordered Propofol.
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Bloss asked about meeting nurse Cherilyn Lee had w/ MJ at some point. She testified on April 19 MJ complained of having trouble sleeping
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Dr. Green said that everyday after June 16, 2009, Dr. Murray knew about that provision. And that included June 24 and 25, the say MJ died.
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Then on June 16 Dr. Murray received first draft of the contract agreement with provision that if tour were canceled the agreement would too.
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Bloss said on Jun 14 Gongaware's sent email saying "we need to remind him it's AEG, not MJ who's paying his salary"/"what's expected of him"
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"Yes, in very small part," Dr. Green responded. "Part of my responsibility is to return athletes to play," he said.
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Bloss asked if the reason is because there could be conflict of interest between team physician and his responsibility with the player.
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Dr Green testify he/MLB can deny a team physician's request to put a player back on the field after a concussion. The union doc also opines
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Dr. Green responded the reason is because there's competition. "It's not about trusting the team's physician, it's about the competition."
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Bloss asked if the reason team does not have unilateral power to have athlete return to play is because of potential conflict of interest.
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He is responsible to make sure the latest rules regarding concussion is followed. He said it's a very controversial area.
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Dr. Green said his position is more of an administrative position with MLB, he doesn't see the patients.
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Policy was adopted in 2010 or 2011. Since then, MLB has to review team physician's actions before an athlete is allowed to return to play.
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Bloss showed Dr. Green MLB's policy on assessment and management of concussion on ballplayers.
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Dr. Green said he agreed that the greater the value the more probable its influence is. He highlighted the word 'probable,' though.
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"I agree money can corrode professional responsibility but I'm not sure it's the most corroding thing in conflict of interest" Dr Green said
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Dr. Green said psychologically speaking, he agrees with the statement above.
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they tend to unconsciously and unintentionally weight evidence is a biased fashion."
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Bloss showed a report, which summarizes physicians' statements. "When individuals stand to gain by reaching a particular conclusion,
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Dr. Green said he's not aware there's way to rate the most powerful conflict of interest. He believes financial interest can create conflict
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Dr. Green: In my experience, however, I've seen physicians do all sort of things for reasons other than financial.
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Bloss: Do you agree that financial interest is the most powerful corroding force in a conflict of interest?
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Bloss showed another article "Principles for Identifying and Assessing Conflicts of Interests."

 

[ivy]

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 73 - August 20 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 73 - August 20 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 73 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48s
AEG's motion won't be heard until Sept. 5 so that all the lawyers who need to argue it can be present.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
AEG Live is seeking a dismissal of the case, claiming the plaintiffs haven’t shown enough evidence to send the case to the jury.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
The judge laid out a schedule on when certain motions will be argued in the next couple weeks. Katherine Jackson wants to amend her lawsuit.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
No Jackson family members are in court today. We got a late start with testimony due to attorney arguments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
We’re on the lunch break in Jackson vs AEG Live. Today’s witness is Rhoma Young, a human resources expert for AEG Live.

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 32m
... working in financial roles with a company, but not necessarily for other workers.
Other licenses (driving, medical) would be verified.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Before the lunch break, she also described appropriate background check policies. She said financial checks are expected for people (cont)
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Young said the chart was consistent with HR-established practices for checking out employees and independent contractors.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
The chart spelled out in bullet points the company’s practices for checking out employees versus independent contractors.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 33m
Stebbins Bina showed Young a chart that Shawn Trell and plaintiff’s expert Jean Seawright testified about related to AEG Live’s practices.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Young made a point of telling the jury that her definitions of employees and independent contractors aren't legal ones.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Independent contractors also are typically referred to a job, and don’t get on-the-job training as an employee might, Young said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Independent contractors aren’t employees, Young said, and aren’t entitled to insurance or other benefits and don’t have a supervisor.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Employees, Young told the jury, typically apply for jobs, have supervisors, are entitled to some benefits and have a pay range.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 34m
Young has consulted on HR issues with the U.S. government and large tech companies including Facebook, Microsoft and healthcare companies.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
She has testified in detail about the differences between an employee and an independent contractor. She has been a consultant for 30+ years
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 35m
Rhoma Young testified for about an hour this morning. She was questioned by AEG Live attorney Jessica Stebbins Bina.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 73 - August 20 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
There's no payroll taxes deducted from pay of independent contractors, the expert said.
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Employees have deductions and benefits, such as taxes, insurance, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, etc, Young explained.
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Independent Contractors:
- Required licenses or permits
- Fully insured
- Indemnification provision
- Obligations laid out in contract
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Independent Contractors:
- Previous Working Relationship with AEG Live
or
Known to the Artist
or
Known in the Industry
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Employees:
- Credit check if hired for financial position
- Obligation based on employment relationship
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Employees:
- Check reference and work history
- Criminal background check is warranted
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Bina showed chart of AEG Process to Check Out People.

Employees:
- Job posted
- Interview and resume
- Verify employability
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The State of California does not check financial background of applicants to issue medical licenses, Young said.
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They also go thru very thorough education background.
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In order to obtain a medical license, Young said the doctor submits to a fingerprint scan, which goes thru Department of Justice.
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Young testify for independent contractors you talk about price, timing, scheduling, license and there's contract prior to beginning of work.
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The expert said you can get personal referral or look for professional organizations to find independent contractors. There's no application
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Young explained independent contractors are usually sourced through different method and different way.
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Young said there could be several interviews and done by different ways, like by one person or group of individuals.
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Application process is the initial screening process of a potential employee, Young said, if person meets the basic qualification.
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One is issue between exempt and non-exempt, independent contractor and employee, Young testified.
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In the world of HR, there are certain basics that are covered in workshops, since there always is confusion.
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Young explained there's are different levels of human resources. One aims for perfection and the basic, which includes reasonable practices.
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Young described her extensive background in the business, the different places she has worked and education.
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"I'm not an advocate," Young said. "Because I testify for both sides, I can't contradict myself. My reputation is about being balanced."
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She said she tried to testify half and half for plaintiffs and defendants and has refused work when the balance is off.
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Young said her bill is close to $70,000 as recent as yesterday. In court, she said she testified 95 times, or maybe more.
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Her hourly rate for research is $350 per hour and $450 and hour for testimony and deposition.
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Young reviewed an extensive list of documents in this case. She's worked in this case close to 200 hours.
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When you're hired there's a supervisor, job title, set of expectation, training, how they are paid, employee benefits, insurance, Young said
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General there's a defined way to find the employees, the screen process, layers of screen to determine who's more qualified and who is not.
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She also does investigations and has helped companies hiring employees. Young said an employee is an individual hired by a company.
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Young explained part of her job is to help the organization to develop a plan to perhaps be more consistent with the written word.
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Young said she looks at the whole policy and procedures, all documents and how the company operates.
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In the music industry, Young said she worked with the Symphony, Ballet and Opera in the Bay area.
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She also worked with small organizations with less than 100 employees.
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She has worked with Facebook, Microsoft, IBM, LinkedIn, Roche, UC Med Centers, private hospitals, Kaiser, Chevron.
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Young explained she's been in the business going on 40 years. She has her own consulting company in the Bay area.
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Young said she was asked to look at the practices and policies of AEG Live, their independent contractors and testimony to see if consistent
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AEG called their next witness, Rhoma Young. She's a Human Resources consultant.
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Hello from the courthouse in downtown LA. Day 73: Jackson family vs AEG trial -- Week 17, is underway. We're at lunch break.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 73 - August 20 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 1m
There's about 3.5 hours of video testimony to be played of Dr. Adams, Dr. Gordon and Mr. Adams. We hope to see you then!
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Young is excused. Jurors are ordered to return tomorrow at 10 am PT.
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Bina asked if the reason she said that was because she's not a lawyer. She said yes, she doesn't advise on contracts.
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"No, there's not a chance I'd advise that," Young said in a deposition, laughing out loud.
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Panish: If AEG came to you in 2009 and asked if they should hire a doctor on behalf of 3rd party, you would've said no?
Young: I don't know
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In re-cross, Young said there was an agreement that called for the engagement of Dr. Murray.
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Young said she thinks the salary discussion alone proves that's what MJ wanted at the time.
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but only where such information is substantially related to the duties and responsibilities of the position to which you're applying."
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In re-direct, Bina showed "Disclosure and Authorization to Conduct Background Check." It says "Credit history may be requested,
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Panish asked if 10 mins is thorough, detailed background check on someone. Young said it could be, even Seawright said it only takes 5 mins.
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Young explained she's familiar w/ State of California's criteria to issue licenses to physician, but she's not an expert in physician hiring
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Young said in her deposition that she has no idea how Randy Phillips determined Dr. Murray was extremely successful.
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"I learned that he was late in the mortgage payments, I don't know how far it was in the foreclosure process," she said.
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Panish asked Young about Det. Martinez' assertion that Dr. Murray was in desperate financial troubles.
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Young said Jorrie checked Dr. Murray's medical license, whether it was current and if there had been any complaints against him.
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Panish: Did you see any evidence in this case that AEG Live did a background check on Dr. Murray?
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Young is familiar with credit check in general. She doesn't do them herself.
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Panish: Frasco charges between $40-$125 for background checK?
Young said she based her opinion on a competitor of Frasco. The answer is yes
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Panish: In 2009, AEG Live had the ability to do background check on a person if they wanted to?
Young: Yes.
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Frasco Profiles does background check for AEG. Panish showed provision that says "Disclosure and Authorization to Conduct Background Check"
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Panish said if he keeps her tomorrow there will be more money to ACS. Defense attorney objected. Everyone laughed again.
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Young is donating the trial testimony money to the American Cancer Society.
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And Young took a jab at Panish: "I've been cross examined by one." Everyone started laughing.
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"Crocodiles are dangerous creatures," Young testified. "Have you trained a crocodile before?" Panish asked. "Not recently," she responded.
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Panish asked if one example of dangerous profession is crocodile's keeper, wild animal holders. She said yes.
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Young said she does not consider physician's job dangerous. She said industry considers the danger to the person doing the job not 3rd party
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Panish: In your opinion, AEG didn't have to do anything?
Young: In terms of background check and supervising Dr. Murray, no.
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Panish: Finding someone is different from checking them out, isn't it?
Young: Yes. You may be doing both things at the same time.
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Panish pointed out that insurance was never provided to AEG. "And the agreement was never completed," Young responded.
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Panish asked what AEG Live did to check Dr. Murray's license. Young said Kathy Jorrie searched the doctor's medical license.
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Young explained she was not asked to to assess if AEG Live appropriately supervised Dr. Conrad Murray.
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"I look for effectiveness not correctness when doing my audits," Young said.
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"To my knowledge there isn't one," Young said. "As far as I know, there are no criteria in writing before hiring an independent contractor."
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Panish asked what document applies for written policy/procedure for AEG Live hiring/retaining/engaging an independent contractor.
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Young said it helps. "My understanding is that all went thru legal," she added.
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Panish: It's important to have clear policies and procedures to hire independent contractor in order for everyone to follow the same rules?
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Panish: Does it say what they should check out before the employment?
Young: No
P: Does it say check references, prior employment?
Y: No
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Panish showed the independent contractor template and what Young said it would be a policy and procedure.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 12m
Young explained there's a draft, in writing, of template for dealing with independent contractors. She said she could consider that a policy
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Young said that as far as she knew, AEG has a template of draft contract.
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Panish: Is there a written policy regarding hiring and retaining independent contractors?
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Panish: Did AEG have a written policy of what they had to do to supervise an independent contractor?
Young: No
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Panish: You're not disputing AEG could've made Dr. Murray sign a authorization for background check, are you?
Young: No.
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There was one child support situation that was late, Young said. She read in the case that Dr. Murray has 6 or 7 children.
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Young has not looked at Nevada's medical license requirements prior to issuing a medical license.
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Young said she's never hired a physician on behalf of anyone. She has helped in the process but was not the person to have the last say.
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Panish: You never dealt with a producer/promoter trying to hire a doctor for an artist?
Young: That's correct.
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She said she's familiar with a doctor going on "This Is It" tour and that a doctor was present in an earlier MJ tour.
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Panish: You're not familiar with physicians traveling with musicians on tour?
Young: Only what I read in this case.
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Young said she has not seen a contract between a concert promoter, doctor and patient.
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Panish: And the agreement said the doctor took directions from someone else other than the patient?
Young: I didn't read the agreements.
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There were some independent contractor situation and 3 party agreements, she explained. This was over 10 years ago.
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"I've worked with some clinics and going thru personnel files I saw some 3-way agreements," Young said.
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Panish asked if she has ever seen a 3-way party involving a doctor, patient and someone else.
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Panish: During that time, GM was laying off tens of thousands of jobs?
Young: At the end of my time there, yes.
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Young worked at General Motors. There were labor issues and Young represented the company.
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Panish asked if she has worked with concert promoters. She said no.

Panish: Ma'am, you don't specialize in the music business?
Young: No
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Panish: Do you know what a CMC certification is?
Young: Yes
P: And that's something you don't have?
Y: Correct
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Young has an antique business and jewelry design. She works 30-50 hours in HR per week, which she considers full time.
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"It's true I'm a full-time HR consultant," Young said, adding she also has another business.
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"I don't bill until I get in this chair," Young said. She bills different rate when sitting around, which is at $350/hour rate.
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Young came to LA Friday evening. She met with the attorneys Saturday, Sunday and Monday, lunch today.
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Young said she started tracking cases she's testified about 15 years ago. She had been testifying about 20 years, 5 years were not tracked
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Bina finished her direct examination. Jacksons' attorney, Brian Panish, did cross examination.
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"How she described job relatedness, it was totally at odds from what I'd have expected from a seasoned HR professional," Young opined.
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Young: When she said there's no difference between independent contractor and employees, for example.
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Young: There were multiple occasions Ms. Seawright seemed to have ignored basic HR standards.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 18m
Bina: Is there anything here that you considered Dr. Murray's job high risk and sensitive?
Young: No, I do not.
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High risk is when a person performing the work has more likelihood of fatality or injury to the worker, Young explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 18m
She disagrees that Dr. Murray's job was high risk or sensitive.
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"In the professional experience I had, it is not common to do credit checks on physicians," Young opined.
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"It's more of a judgment issue, how they dealt with, for the health of the organization," Young explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Young said the person was going to be making decisions of the financial and fiscal health of the organization.
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Young: I helped organizations conduct recruiting, approximately 280, 300 times. Young has done only one credit check for a CFO.
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Young said 97% of healthcare company did not conduct any credit check. And that included more than just physicians, she said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Plaintiffs' HR expert Jean Seawright testified earlier she relied on a study that 3% of healthcare companies did credit checks of employees.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 20m
"It's not common, it's not frequent, in fact it's very rare," Young testified about credit check in the healthcare industry.
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"As fair as I know, they do not do credit checks," Young said. She checked places hiring, saw no reference as credit check as a requirement.
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Young: The process for someone to get a medical license is fairly thorough. Secondly, I have worked in health care w/ all different settings
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Bina: Do you agree or disagree that a credit check was job related for MJ's physician?
Young: I absolutely do not agree.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Independent contractors give you different kinds of assurances when they are self-insured, Young explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
She explained licenses check skills, experience. Professionals are to adhere to standards of expected performance from the issuer of license
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Young said many licenses go thru detailed background check. There's also a possibility to do a check during the interview, if needed.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 21m
Young said that background check is much less frequently done for independent contractors than it is for employees.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 22m
Katherine Jackson is not in court today. We're told she won't come back until after Labor Day. She's working on MJ's birthday celebration
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 23m
She said they also do credit checks for people who have fiscal and fiduciary duties and criminal background check on some specific employees
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Young said AEG does basic checks for employees, such as is the person eligible to work, do they have driver's license if needed for the job.
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Young said the rules are in place because you can have privacy issues, you can be asking inappropriate question not fair and equitable.
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Young: You can say 'the job is schedule to be performed between 8-5. Is that going to present a problem?'
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Bina: Can you ask about how many children someone has?
Young: No!
Bina: Can you ask if a person anticipates to get to work on time?
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 25m
She said it may all be included in the agreement. In an interview, the questions have to be job-related, Young said.
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"You have a different set of knowledge, referrals," she said. You may ask them to provide necessary licenses, their own insurances.
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"For independent contractors, in my opinion, you don't do background check or criminal check," Young said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
Depending on the type of job, there should be a determination on whether a background check is needed or not, Young said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 26m
They can also check for certification that a person is legally authorized to work in the US, check of professional licenses.
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For employee, Young said the check would include application, talk to prior employers, check driver's license.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 27m
The gathering of initial information includes everything you do to find out about the person or organization you're thinking of bringing on
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From an HR point of view, background checks could be part of both, but the way of which they are done are different, Young said.
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"My understanding these choices were being made by MJ. The children chose Kai Chase, but the choices were ultimately MJ's," Young testified.
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Young: My understanding is AEG was to advance funds for other personal staff on behalf of MJ at his request ultimately to be paid back by MJ
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Bina asked who she understood asked for Dr. Murray to be hired. "Michael Jackson," she responded.
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Young: This is little bit of different 3-way agreement. This is AEG acting on behalf, helping MJ getting the doctor he wanted to go on tour
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"That agreement signed by Dr. Murray did contain things I usually would encounter in independent contractor agreements," Young opined
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 30m
Young said in looking at the content of Dr. Murray's contract, she said it's consistent with an independent contractor agreement.
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Young said there's nothing inconsistent in the way AEG check people out with what's used in the business.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 31m
Young: Generally in my opinion, independent contractors supply their own: their insurance, equipment, etc. They are normally self-contained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 31m
Independent contractors' duty are worked out in advance and generally with a contract.
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Handbook details the expectations from the company and what employee can expect from employer, the expert explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 2h
For employee, there's job description and a set of responsibility very defined. They are usually going to have an employee handbook she said
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Independent contractor is supposed to have the expertise right now, she explained.
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"An employee is brought in with the expectation the person will be with the company for a while," Young said. Thus the training is different

 

[Bubs]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 73 - August 20 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Michael Jackson trial: HR consultant talks Conrad Murray employment
Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Miriam Hernandez

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Michael Jackson died at the hands of Conrad Murray. Now during the wrongful death trial, accusations fly about who was responsible for hiring and controlling the doctor in the first place: Jackson or his tour promoter AEG Live.

An unsigned independent contractor agreement drafted by AEG has become a central document in the case. It spells out the terms of Murray's employment.

On Tuesday, AEG's witness, human resources consultant Rhoma Young, reviewed AEG's policies for retaining both independent contractors and employees. She described the agreement as unusual because it involved three parties.

"It was AEG acting on behalf of Michael Jackson to get his request honored. He wanted his personal physician to go with him," Young said.
She testified AEG operated within industry standards in human resources and that the company has a screening process for hiring employees and that independent contractors, such as Murray, are vetted differently. A doctor, Young stated, comes with a license.

Young rebutted the testimony of the Jackson HR expert, Jean Seawright, who testified that the doctor was in a high-risk, safety sensitive job and that AEG should have investigated the doctor's finances.

The Jackson attorneys assert that because Murray was about to lose his home and was behind in child support payments, he complied with Jackson's requests for propofol in order to keep his job as the star's personal physician for the tour.

The AEG witness says that there was nothing to indicate that Murray was in a high-risk position. She testified that credit checks were done for people who were being hired for high-ranking financial jobs, not doctors.

The Jackson attorney attacked Young's credibility, asking, "Have you worked on negligence and retention cases?" Her answer was no.

The plaintiffs also brought out from Young that AEG did not have specific criteria that spell out what the company should do before hiring, retaining or engaging an independent contractor.

On Wednesday, jurors will hear from more Jackson doctors about his request for propofol months before he died.

 

[Bubs]

Defense Expert: Conrad Murray’s Medical License A Built-In Background Check

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A human resources expert called to the stand by AEG Live Tuesday testified it is rare for a company to check the credit of an independent contractor, particularly a physician with a medical license.

Human resources consultant Rhoma Young was called to testify in the wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of Michael Jackson’s mother and children.

When Jackson asked AEG to hire Dr. Conrad Murray to serve as his personal physician for the ill-fated ‘This Is It’ concert tour, AEG negotiated an independent contractor agreement with the doctor.

In July, attorneys for the Jackson family called their own HR expert to the stand, who testified that proper hiring practices require companies to assess the risks posed by an independent contractor. Conducting a credit check on Murray would have shown that the doctor was deeply in debt.

“I absolutely do not agree,” Young testified Tuesday.

According to Young, it is not common practice for a company like AEG to perform a credit check on an independent contractor.

Young also testified that a physician’s medical license is a built-in background check, requiring a criminal background check and the verification of skills, education and experience.

Katherine Jackson alleges AEG Live was negligent in the hiring and supervising of Murray, who was convicted of administering a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol that killed Michael Jackson in 2009.

AEG denies any wrongdoing and maintains the doctor was brought on at Jackson’s request.

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013...-medical-license-a-built-in-background-check/

 

[ivy]

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 74 - August 21 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Jacksons vs AEG - Day 74 - August 21 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Use this thread to post any and all news stories from day 74 of Katherine Jackson vs. AEG trial.

Daily news threads are merged into the main News thread in the stickies

Please help the staff by posting all the news stories as well as tweets from media you see.

Please Don't post updates or tweets from Fans in news thread

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9m
J. Adams was also asked about which Jackson relatives he saw visit MJ while he lived in Las Vegas. He only saw Randy and Joe Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Likewise, Jeff Adams, said when he worked for Murray, they never discussed Murray’s treatments on Jackson.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Jeff Adams knew Murray was at Jackson's house because he would sometimes see his car there.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 13m
Jackson thanked J. Adams for introducing him to Murray, but they otherwise didn’t discuss the doctor or his treatments.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
J. Adams knew Murray because he had treated him and his father. He asked Murray to do a house call at Jackson’s home, and the doc agreed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
That guard called J. Adams and asked him if he knew a doctor who could treat Jackson’s children. Adams recommended Murray.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 14m
The security guard didn’t recall the exact date he introduced Jackson to Murray, but meeting came about through another MJ security guard.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
J. Adams worked with Murray from the day after Jackson died until the day he was convicted of the singer’s involuntary manslaughter.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Adams was a security guard for Michael Jackson who introduced him to Conrad Murray in 2007. He later worked for Murray.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 18m
Some updates on the deposition videos played today coming up.
Jury heard from security guard Jeffrey Adams first.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19m
We’re done for the day in Jackson vs. AEG Live. The jury returns on Tuesday at 10 a.m. PDT
No word on the next witness at this point.

 

[ivy]

Man who vouched for Conrad Murray testifies at Michael Jackson trial

By Jeff Gottlieb
August 21, 2013, 1:26 p.m.
A man who worked security for Michael Jackson testified Wednesday that he introduced the singer to Conrad Murray, the doctor who later administered the fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to the singer more than two years later.

Jeffrey Adams testified he was "positive" the first time Jackson and Murray met was in February 2007. Adams' video deposition, given under oath, was played to jurors in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Jackson's mother and three children against concert promoter and producer AEG Live and three of its executives.

Adams' relationship with the singer was a bit confusing. He said he worked security at special events for Jackson, but also said he "didn't officially work for Michael, I orchestrated his staff."

Adams said that one of Jackson's security staff members, Bashier Muhammad, called him and told him that Jackson's children were sick and he didn't want to take them to the hospital "due to the fact that they ... weren’t made up or didn’t have anything to cover their faces.”

Murray was Adams' doctor and had also treated Adams' father. Muhammad asked if the doctor could be trusted.

“I said he’s been my doctor," Adams testified. "He’s my friend. He definitely can be trusted.”

Adams said he called the doctor within 10 minutes.

“I told Dr. Murray that I needed a huge favor from him, that I had a high-profile client that I was working with -- I couldn’t give him that name, but that once he got there he would know who he was -- would he mind going over there" and examine his children, Adams testified.

Adams declined a request from Muhammad to provide Murray's resume: "We were doing him a favor," Adams said.

Muhammad told him the next day that Murray had visited Jackson's Las Vegas home. "Everything's fine," Muhammad told Adams.

Adams said he did not know how many times Murray treated Jackson or his children.

Adams testified that he met Murray in the 1990s through a mutual friend and remained his patient until Murray was convicted for involuntary manslaughter in the Jackson case.

He testified that when Jackson died on June 25, 2009, he called Murray and asked if the doctor needed him.

“I told him that he had taken care of my father for me and that I would be by his side in this situation until it was completed,” Adams said.

He said he arrived in Southern California the next day and lived with Murray until his conviction, providing security and traveling with him to Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Houston, San Diego, Boston and Miami. He said Murray would see patients in Las Vegas and Houston.

Murray never discussed the details of Jackson's death with him, Adams said.

In its lawsuit, the Jackson family accused AEG of negligently hiring and supervising Murray while the singer was preparing for his 50 comeback concerts in London. AEG says that Jackson hired the doctor and that any money the company was supposed to pay the doctor was an advance to the singer.

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 12s
Dr. Adams' interactions with Jackson came during dental procedures and were also done in Las Vegas.
Will have a few updates about him later.
Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 9s
I will have to get back on later with updates from the testimony of Dr. David Adams, who gave Jackson propofol 4 times during procedures.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 52s
“There was nothing usual or customary about what he was doing, at all,” Gordon said of the 2007 visit. He never heard from Jackson again.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
Gordon said he didn’t give Jackson any pain medication after that visit. His impression was Murray was taking care of MJ’s needs, he said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Murray had driving Jackson to the office and sat through the procedure. Jackson received a cosmetic injection, but didn’t get propofol.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
He said Jackson acted like he hadn’t been there before, and he had never had a patient bring their own doctor to a visit.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Murray presented himself and Jackson’s doctor and “spokesperson to some extent,” Gordon said. Gordon found the visit odd.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
He didn’t see the singer again for another four years. The next time he came to the office, Conrad Murray was with him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
“I got the impression that he had favors like this done for him before,” Gordon said of Jackson’s request for Demerol.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Gordon said that a high dose and he refused to give it to Jackson. The singer didn’t argue, but did say he could handle it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Gordon said he wasn’t going to give it to Jackson, but asked him how much he wanted. 300mg the singer replied.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
The doctor said as Jackson was leaving, he asked for a shot of Demerol “for the road.” Gordon said he was surprised by the request.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Gordon removed scar tissue, but said he didn’t find anything inorganic in Jackson’s abdomen. MJ had a wound, but it had healed.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
In July 2003, Jackson returned for another procedure. This time he asked Gordon to cut a “foreign body” out of his abdomen.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
“Most people really don’t relate to it like that,” Gordon said. He noted he just overheard the conversation with the anesthesiologist.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
The doctor also said Jackson appeared more familiar with anesthesia than other patients, and referred to propofol as “milk.”
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Gordon testified that he had trouble getting paid for the October procedures. He described Jackson as a “phantom” and difficult to reach.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
While Gordon’s records were unclear, the attorneys agreed to read a note to the jury that a procedure did happen on Oct. 2, 2002.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
“I knew I’d have a little trouble explaining this to you,” Gordon told AEG Live defense lawyer Marvin Putnam on the video.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Gordon said it’s possible the procedure was a touch-up from the previous one, or the anesthesiology chart was for another patient.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
The anesthesiologist had notes that a 45-minute procedure was done, but the doctor doesn’t remember what happened.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Gordon’s medical records indicated Jackson returned two days later, but the doctor didn’t have any notes of what was done.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 41m
It was a short procedure _ about 10 minutes and Gordon said it wasn't a notable visit and nothing out of the ordinary happened.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 46m
Gordon said having a patient get anesthesia for those types of procedures wasn't typical.
"He expressed a significant needle phobia."
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 47m
The injections were both in Jackson's face, some near his nose and he got Botox on at least one of his lower eyelids.
He got anesthesia.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 48m
Jackson went to his office on Oct. 2, 2002 for the first procedure, which was done after hours.
MJ got some collagen injections.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 49m
"It was a very pleasant sort of flattering experience," Gordon said.
The doctor said Jackson told him he really wanted to see him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Gordon said he initially thought it was someone messing with him, but Jackson gave him a callback number and he was convinced.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
Gordon never saw Jackson socially. He met the singer after receiving a call directly from him, seeking an appointment.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 51m
AEG next played the deposition of Las Vegas plastic surgeon Stephen Gordon. He performed procedures on Jackson in 2002, ’03 & ’07.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 74 - August 21 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 24s
Video deposition ended. AEG played the next one, Dr. Stephen Gordon, plastic surgeon from Las Vegas.
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Dr. Murray told Adams he would need a lawyer. Adams was with the doctor in his unofficial position during the criminal trial.
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"It was discussed what happened, what was he going to do from there" Adams recalled. He doesn't remember if Murray told cause of MJ's death
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Adams said he only saw Mr. Jackson and Randy Jackson come to the house one time while he was there.
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Q: Did you ever feel that Dr. Murray tried to hide his interactions with MJ?
A: No.
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Adams testified he would come over at the house and see Dr. Murray there sometimes after that. But he doesn't know how the relationship went
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Adams said he wasn't going to ask for a resume because Murray was doing a favor.
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Adams said MJ told him "I want to thank you very much, he was a very professional doctor, and I appreciate it."
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"Other than Michael thanking me for bringing him over to see the children, that was the only conversation we had," Adams testified.
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Adams asked Mr. Muhammad next day if Murray showed up. He said yes, but never discussed anything further.
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Dr. Murray told Adams that he would go at least to assess the situation. The doctor went that night, Adams wasn't there.
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Adams asked if Murray could check out MJ's children since they couldn't go to regular hospital.
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Adams: I told Murray I needed a huge favor from him, had a high profile client, couldn't give name but once he got there he'd know who was
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Adams said MJ wanted resume of Murray, if he could be trusted. "I said he's been my doctor, he's my friend, he definitely can be trusted."
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Adams: And I told him I could reach out to my doctor, Dr. Murray, and see of he would be willing to come over and take a look at them.
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Adams explained it was due to the fact that they didn't have anything to cover their faces.
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"He said that MJ's children were sick and needed to go to the hospital and that MJ didn't want to take them to public hospital," he said.
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He did periodic work for MJ. "I introduced Dr. Murray to Michael Jackson," Adams said. It was in early 2007, as he recalled.
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He said he was positive that was the first time the two met. "Mr. Muhammad called me one evening in 2007, I want to say maybe February...
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Adams orchestrated security for MJ in December of 2006. He said his friend, Basheier Muhammad, who was MJ security, called him offering work
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Adams said Dr. Murray never described what kind of treatment he was engaged in with MJ.
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The last time Adams spoke with Dr. Murray was the day he was convicted.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4m
Adams went everywhere with Dr. Murray from the day after MJ's death to Murray's criminal conviction.
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We lived together, we had an apartment together, we did everything together," Adams said.
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"I made statements, you know, but he never discussed with me how Michael passed," Adams recalled. "He never clarified anything with me."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4m
Adams learned through TV reports that MJ had died. He called Murray, who was in Santa Monica. He traveled to LA next morning.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 4m
Adams stayed in Dr. Murray's office when he was in Vegas and Houston seeing patients.
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Adams said Dr. Murray's pastor in Houston was also his patient, as well as a number of other pastors and people he went to church with.
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Adams also travelled with Dr. Murray to Las Vegas, Houston, San Diego, Philadelphia, Boston, Miami.
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"We went to eat together, we went to movies together, we went to criminal proceedings, meetings lawyers, we took walks together...
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 13m
"I told him he had taken care of my father for me and that I'd be by his side in this situation until it was completed," Adams recalled.
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Adams said Dr. Murray told him he needed help because MJ had passed.
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Adams: And I asked him if he was ok and needed me, and he said yes. And at that time my father told me to go to him.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 14m
Adams: The day after MJ passed I called Dr. Murray. He was in California. And I asked him was it true what I was hearing. He said yes.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 14m
Q: Are you still his patient?
A: Oh, he's locked up now. No, not now.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 14m
Adams became a patient of Dr. Murray in Las Vegas, and so did Adams' father.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 14m
From the time Adams met Dr. Murray to when he moved to Las Vegas, he saw the doctor 3-4 times at barbecues in Los Angeles.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15m
Q: What was your impression of Dr. Murray when you first met him?
A: Tall, cardiologist. She told me he was a cardiologist. That's about it.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 15m
Adams had his own security company called "Knockout Security," started in 2004. He said he met Dr. Murray in early 90s through mutual friend
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 16m
Q: At a point, didn't you work for MJ?
A: I didn't officially work for MJ, I orchestrated his staff. I didn't actually officially work 4 him
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
"I started with Dr. Murray the day after Michael Jackson passed," Adams explained.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
"It was just understood that I'd be. There was no contract or anything of that nature or a job."
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
Adams testified he traveled with Dr. Conrad Murray everywhere. "I wasn't paid as his security, but I was his security," he said.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 17m
He also worked at Neiman Marcus during same time, left in 2007. After Adams said he worked as personal security for an attorney in Las Vegas
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 18m
After 1999 Adams moved to Las Vegas, worked at Burlington Coat Factory as loss prevention, looking at cameras, shoplifters for about 4 years
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Adams said he completed third year of college at Long Beach State University in 1993. He worked school security for 8 years.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Katherine Jackson is not present in court today. AEG called their next witness, Jeffrey Adams, via video deposition.
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ABC7 Court News ?@ABC7Courts 19m
Day 74: Jackson family vs AEG trial -- Week 17 was a video day. Jurors saw 3 video depositions.

 

[ivy]

Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 19s
I’ll be back in court on Tuesday when testimony resumes in Jackson vs AEG Live.
It'll be another short week, with 2 1/2 days of testimony.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
On the day Jackson died, Dr. Adams said he texted Murray his condolences. He never heard anything back from the cardiologist.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 1m
Dr. Adams wanted $100,000 a month, and a three-year contract to accompany Jackson on the tour. He said he never heard back.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
The anesthesiologist agreed to think about it, and traded calls and texts with Murray. He was willing to go on the tour.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Dr. Adams said Jackson would only tell him he wanted him to help him rest. Adams said Jackson didn’t want an immediate answer.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
The anesthesiologist said he couldn’t understand why he would be needed. Neither Jackson nor Murray ever mentioned propofol.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Murray looked upset by that point. Jackson asked Adams to accompany him on the “This Is It” tour, which took Dr. Adams by surprise.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 2m
Adams finally told them he had to leave, and they asked him to hold on. Jackson and Murray came back into the room after a few more mins.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Dr. Adams said he was anxious to find out what was going on, but Jackson and Murray conferred in another room.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Instead, Dr. Adams said Jackson talked to him for about 90 minutes about his life, his practice, and other topics.
Murray had left the room.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Dr. Adams was getting ready for church when Murray called, and he went to the cardiologist’s office thinking Jackson needed medical care.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 3m
Jackson accompanied Murray to meet with Dr. Adams. Despite being extremely hot, Jackson was wearing a suit coat and scarf, he recalled.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 4m
Dr. Adams recounted meeting Conrad Murray. The cardiologist called him on a Sunday afternoon in March, asked him to come to his office.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Moving Michael Jackson’s chin would open up his airway and restore his breathing, Dr. Adams said.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Sure enough, Jackson’s tongue blocked his airway during each of the four procedures, Dr. Adams said. He was able to quickly remedy it.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
The first time Dr. Adams gave met Jackson, he said he noticed the singer had a large tongue. He was worried that could be a problem.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 5m
Dr. Adams didn’t charge Jackson for his services, but told the singer that he wanted him to refer other patients to him.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
The doctor said he and Jackson never specifically discussed propofol. Dr. Adams said Jackson appeared thin, but healthy.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Dr. Adams administered propofol to Jackson on four occasions during dental procedures. He said MJ never specifically requested the drug.
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Anthony McCartney ‏@mccartneyAP 6m
Some final updates from today’s testimony in the Jackson vs AEG Live trial. Testimony of anesthesiologist Dr. David Adams ended the day.

 

[ivy]

Re: Jacksons vs AEG - Day 74 - August 21 2013 - News Only (no discussion)

Anesthesiologist: Michael Jackson recruited me to help with insomnia
By Alan Duke, CNN
updated 7:53 AM EDT, Thu August 22, 2013
Katherine Jackson: Michael's mother, 82, was deposed for nine hours over three days by AEG Live lawyers. As the guardian of her son's three children, she is a plaintiff in the wrongful death lawsuit against the company that promoted Michael Jackson's comeback concerts. Katherine Jackson: Michael's mother, 82, was deposed for nine hours over three days by AEG Live lawyers. As the guardian of her son's three children, she is a plaintiff in the wrongful death lawsuit against the company that promoted Michael Jackson's comeback concerts.
HIDE CAPTION
Key players in Jackson wrongful death trial

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS
"I just need you to help me get my rest," Michael Jackson tells anesthesiologist
Anesthesiologist David Adams offered to go on tour with Michael Jackson for $100,000 a month
Jackson's offer to Dr. David Adams made Dr. Murray "truly upset," Adams says
Murray "presented himself as being Mr. Jackson's personal physician and spokesperson" in 2007

Los Angeles (CNN) -- MIchael Jackson and Dr. Conrad Murray tried to recruit an anesthesiologist to join them on his comeback tour, according to testimony in the AEG Live wrongful death trial.
Murray arranged the meeting in March 2009 in which Jackson asked Dr. David Adams to travel with him to London, Adams testified.
Adams said that after he offered to take the job for $100,000 a month guaranteed for three years, Murray stopped communicating with him.
"I texted basically, you know, 'what's going on, I'm on board," Adams said. "And no response."
Just weeks later Murray accepted an offer from an AEG Live executive to be Jackson's personal physician on his "This Is It" tour for $150,000 a month.
MIchael Jackson's ex-wife cries on stand Did Debbie Rowe's testimony help? Paris Jackson's deposition Prince Jackson testifies against AEG
Murray told investigators he began infusing Jackson with the surgical anesthetic propofol to treat his insomnia in April, a treatment that eventually killed the pop icon.
Debbie Rowe: Paris Jackson 'has no life' since father's death
Jurors in the trial of Jackson's last concert promoter viewed the video depositions of Adams and two other witnesses Wednesday ahead of a six-day break in testimony.
Jackson's mother and children are suing AEG Live, contending the company's executives negligently hired, retained or supervised Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's propofol overdose death.
AEG Live's lawyers argue it was Jackson -- not its executives -- who chose and controlled Murray and that they had no way of knowing about the dangerous treatments he was giving the singer in the privacy of his bedroom.
Jackson: 'Help me get my rest'
Adams, who administered propofol to Jackson during cosmetic dental procedures in Las Vegas four times in 2008, said Jackson and Murray never told him what his duties would be if he took a job with the tour.
"I said 'I don't sing and I really can't dance, so to do what?" Adams testified.
"He says 'Well, you know, I'm entertaining, I'm jumping around, I'm doing this. Every once in a while I need an IV," Adams testified. "And he says 'I just need you to help me get my rest.' They were pretty vague, but on hindsight I know what they were talking about."
Jackson and Murray, however, never mentioned that administering propofol or treating his insomnia would be one of his responsibilities on tour, the anesthesiologist testified.
Jackson never asked him to do anything medically inappropriate, Adams said.
Adams hinted that there was jealously on Murray's part when Jackson courted him for a tour job.
"Murray really looked like he had just lost his best friend" when Jackson was discussing it, Adams said. "Oh, he was truly upset."
Defense expert: Promoter didn't pressure Jackson's doctor
Murray told CNN's Anderson Cooper in April that Michael Jackson had "his own stash" of propofol in his home before he began treating him with it.
"I did not agree with Michael, but Michael felt that it was not an issue because he had been exposed to it for years and he knew exactly how things worked," Murray said. "And given the situation at the time, it was my approach to try to get him off of it, but Michael Jackson was not the kind of person you can just say 'Put it down' and he's going to do that."
Jackson lawyers argue that AEG Live was negligent for not checking out Murray's distressed financial situation before agreeing to pay him $150,000 a month. It created a conflict of interest that led Murray to ignore safe practices and his responsibility to Jackson's health, they contend.
AEG Live executives also ignored a series of red flags that should have warned them that Jackson's health was deteriorating under Murray's care and another doctor should have been called in, they argue.
Adams was in a Las Vegas operating room on June 25, 2009, when he learned Jackson had died.
"I texted Murray 'I'm sorry to hear what happened. Take care,'" he said. Murray never responded, he said.
Dr. Murray's connection to Michael Jackson
Murray did respond that night to a phone call from another Adams. Jeffrey Adams is the person who initially introduced him to Michael Jackson in February 2007 when the singer needed a doctor to treat one of his children in Las Vegas.
Jeffrey Adams -- no relation to Dr. David Adams -- had known Murray for years and the cardiologist had treated his father's heart ailment in 2007. His video deposition was shown to jurors Wednesday morning.
He testified that he called Dr. Murray to offer his help after he saw on television that Jackson had died.
"I told him he had taken care of my father for me and I would be at his side until this situation was complete," Adams testified.
Murray told him that night "he was going to need a lawyer," he said.
He and Murray "did everything together" from June 26, 2009 --a day after Jackson's death -- until November 7, 2011 -- the day Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, he said.
Jeffrey Adams said he served as Murray's bodyguard for more than two years without pay.
Despite his close relationship to Murray, Adams said he has not spoken to the doctor since he was put in handcuffs in the courtroom and taken to jail.
Murray is expected to be released from jail on October 28, 2013 -- after serving two years of a four-year prison sentence, according to his lawyer.
Doctor's competed to give Jackson painkillers, ex-wife says
Murray and Jackson: "Seemed very odd"
Murray's relationship with Michael Jackson "seemed very odd," according to Las Vegas plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Gordon. Jurors also watched his video deposition Wednesday.
"He presented himself as being Mr. Jackson's personal physician and spokesperson to some extent" when Murray accompanied Jackson on an appointment to have cosmetic filler put in his face on May 14, 2007, Gordon said.
Gordon had treated Jackson several times four years earlier, but not when Murray was with him -- and he even wrote a $1,300 check to pay for the procedure, he said.
"The whole situation seemed very odd and it didn't add up and that caused me not to fully trust the person," Gordon testified. "I felt like a successful cardiologist doesn't go around being somebody's private physician and speaking for them, in my experience."
Jackson, however, appeared to be capable of dealing with doctors on his own, Gordon said. "He gave me the impression that he was used to telling doctors what he wanted them to do."
Jackson personally called him in 2002 when he was looking for a doctor in Las Vegas to give him collagen and Botox treatments, he said.
"At first I thought it was somebody playing a prank, one of my friends fooling around," Gordon said. He realized it really was the pop star when he called him back at his hotel -- asking for him under his alias "Michael Jefferson," he said.
Wednesday was the 74th day of testimony on the trial, which the judge predicted would last another month.

 

[ivy]

Doctors Bolster AEG’s Claims Michael Jackson Was Responsible For His Medical Care
August 21, 2013 6:24 PM

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AEG, AEG Live, Anesthesia, Death of Michael Jackson, Doctors, Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Los Angeles, Michael Jackson, Propofol, Wrongful death claim

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Las Vegas plastic surgeon on Wednesday bolstered claims by AEG that the firm is not responsible for Michael Jackson’s death.

Dr. Stephen Gordon revealed details of a conversation he had with the singer that made him extremely uncomfortable in a video deposition played for jurors hearing testimony in the wrongful death suit filed by the late singer’s mother, Katherine Jackson.

The physician said his first encounter with Michael Jackson was in 2002 when he administered collagen and Botox injections for the star.

“Did he specifically ask for the general anesthetic?” Gordon is asked.

“Yes,” he replied.

Gordon testified Jackson was unusually familiar with the anesthetic propofol, which his office used for general anesthesia.

Jackson died in 2009 after receiving a fatal dose of the drug administered by Dr. Conray Murray, who is serving a four-year sentence in a L.A. County jail for involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death.

“He made the remark that it burned, and he actually referred to propfol as milk,” Gordon said.


“He gave me the impression he was used to telling doctors what he wanted them to do.”

The jury also saw a video deposition from Dr. David Adams, a Las Vegas anesthesiologist who said he provided propofol to Jackson on four occasions for legitimate medical reasons.

Adams said the singer and Conrad Murray asked him to join them for Jackson’s ill-fated This Is It concert series in London without ever saying exactly what they wanted him to do.

“He asked me to go on tour with him,” Adams said.

“I said, ‘I don’t sing, I really can’t dance, so… to do what?’ And he says, ‘I would like… I would like for you to help me get my rest.’”

Adams said Jackson’s offer never materialized and he was never told what they wanted him to do.

AEG Live is trying to convince the jury that Michael Jackson was calling the shots when it came to his medical care while preparing for his concert series, including when it involved the use of propofol, which Murray says the singer used as a sleep aid.

Katherine Jackson claims executives for the concert promoting giant were negligent in hiring and supervising Murray.

The trial continues.