Doc Said To Put Vials In Bag : Jackson Bodyguard

As Michael Jackson’s lifeless body lay on a bed in his palatial mansion, a bodyguard obeyed a frantic doctor’s instructions to bag up medicine bottles and intravenous bags and shield the Jackson children from seeing their father — all before being told to call 911, court testimony revealed Wednesday. Alberto Alvarez said he was the first security guard to reach Jackson’s room after word came that something was wrong. He described a shocking scene.

The King of Pop was on his bed connected to an IV tube and a urinary catheter. His eyes and mouth were open, and Dr. Conrad Murray was leaning over him doing one-handed chest compressions to try to revive him. Alvarez said he was “frozen” at the sight. “I said, ‘Dr. Murray, what happened?’ And he said, ‘He had a reaction. He had a bad reaction,”’ Alvarez recalled.

The testimony came during a preliminary hearing to determine if Murray, the singer’s personal physician, will be tried on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Authorities contend Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives in the bedroom of his rented mansion before he died on June 25, 2009. Senneff testified that he asked Dr. Murray if Jackson had any underlying medical conditions twice and on the second time, Dr. Murray said the singer did not have any.

Senneff also testified that he asked the doctor if Jackson had given him any medication, and the doctor said he gave him just “a little bit of Lorazepam to help him sleep.” The paramedic said that when he and his co-worker attempted to move Jackson, the singer’s body was cool to the touch, he had “dry eyes” and his hands and feet had a blue tint to them. Senneff testified that his gut feeling was that Jackson hadn’t just gone into cardiac arrest, but more than 20 minutes had elapsed before they were called.

In his opening statement Tuesday, Walgren said Murray had waited as long as 21 minutes before paramedics were called and that Jackson had died before help was summoned. The testimony could support the prosecutors’ argument that Murray’s actions demonstrated “an extreme deviation from the standard of care” by administering propofol without the proper equipment, and also concealing it and botching efforts to resuscitate the singer.

Murray, a Houston cardiologist, has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have contended he did not give Jackson anything that should have killed the singer. Defense lawyers did not deliver an opening statement at the hearing. Murray could face up to four years in prison if convicted.

Read More

Jackson Autopsy Show Postponed

Discovery Channel International has indefinitely postponed the broadcast of a show purporting to re-enact Michael Jackson’s autopsy, the company announced Friday. The company cited the start of hearings next week in the criminal case against Jackson’s doctor and a request by the late superstar’s estate as reasons for the postponement.

John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Jackson’s estate, accused Discovery of insensitivity toward the singer’s family in a letter Wednesday demanding that the company cancel plans for the program. They said they were especially outraged by an Internet ad for the show, “Michael Jackson’s Autopsy,” which they described as depicting a corpse on a steel gurney covered by a sheet with a hand sticking out wearing Jackson’s signature sequined glove.

Branca and McClain said Friday in a statement that Discovery seemed to be reacting to outrage from Jackson fans, in addition to their own criticisms. “Discovery Channel made the correct decision in choosing to cancel this exploitative program. We are hopeful that this show will never run in any market in the future,” they said.

The company’s decision was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com. A preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin Tuesday for Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter, after which a judge will decide if there is sufficient evidence to hold Murray for trial.

The singer died on June 25, 2009, of what was later found to be acute Propofol intoxication, with other sedatives found to have been a contributing factor.

Read More

Chris Brown Apologizes

Chris Brown has apologized after making headlines for a Twitter war on Wednesday, which saw the singer and Raz-B, a former B2K vocalist, exchanging insults after the latter man lashed out at Brown on the social networking site over what happened with Rihanna. “Yesterday was an unfortunate lack in judgment sparked by public Twitter attacks from Raz B, who was bent on getting attention. Words cannot begin to express how sorry and frustrated I am over what transpired publicly on Twitter,” Brown said in a statement released by his rep to Access Hollywoodon Thursday.

The Twitter war erupted early Wednesday morning when De’Mario Monte Thornton, known as Raz-B, Tweeted, “Im just sittin here Thinking how can n***** like @ebenet [Eric Benet] and @chrisbrown disrespect women as Intelligent as Halle Berry, Rihanna.” About two hours later, Brown responded to the singer, claiming Raz-B just wanted attention, before adding a profanity-laced Tweet, which suggested Raz-B is gay.

For several hours, both men Tweeted back and forth, accusing each other of being gay. Brown also took aim at Raz-B’s claims he was molested by people he worked with, suggesting the singer spoke about molestation when his career started to slide. “I luv how u resort 2 disrespectful low brow tactics when u clearly sabotaged ur own career by beating women!” Raz-B responded.

“when I need tips on how to demolish my career I’ll call ya!!!!!” Brown later Tweeted back. The Twitter battle continued throughout Wednesday afternoon, with Raz-B, who posted the most Tweets, laying into Brown’s emotional 2010 BET Awards Michael Jackson tribute performance.

“Oh yea, your Michael Jackson tribute was cool, until you made it about yourself!!!!! What a Disgrace!!!! God bless you too!” he Tweeted. The two eventually cooled off and Brown defended himself before moving on to other Tweet material.

“LOVE ALL MY SUPPORTERS and people who know my heart.HOMOPHOBE?c’mon,find a better tactic.thats pure ignorance and stupidity. i love everyone,” he wrote. Brown apologized for touching on the molestation subject in a statement toAccess Hollywood on Thursday.

“Molestation and victims of such acts are not to be taken lightly; and for my comments I apologize — from the bottom of my heart. I love all of my fans, gay and straight. I have friends from all walks of life and I am committed, with God’s help, to continue becoming a better person,” his statement concluded.

Read More