The Coming Michael Jackson Manslaughter Trial

Michael Jackson’s sudden death was a shock to everyone; his family, his fans, his business associates and colleagues.  From the start Michael’s death appeared suspicious with varying rumors of prescription drug abuse, a live-in doctor and strange 911 call and even evidence the singer had been having nightly anesthesia in order to induce sleep from chronic insomnia.  As the celebration of his life and moving funeral move into the background, I feel it is almost inevitable that there will be at the very least a wrongful death trial and very likely manslaughter or murder charges brought upon one or more individuals within the coming weeks.

Why There Will Be a Trial

A man of such enormous celebrity, success and means as Michael Jackson leaves a tremendous mark on society and the many lives he affects.  Michael’s special place in the popular lexicon will mean the Jackson family will do everything they can to protect the sacred memory of Michael and pursue with vigor any doctors that might have broken laws with their prescribing or medication use that contributed to Michael’s death.  In addition, with a 50 concert tour worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and reported hundreds of millions in debts owed by Jackson, there is tremendous financial incentive to pursue anyone in which there is a remote possibility of responsibility for his death. 

The Players

The reports of numerous medications being dispensed to Mr. Jackson under fictional or employee names and provided by an assortment of different doctors means the shark lawyers for both the Jackson family as well as the concert promoter, AEG will have plenty of targets to pursue in a wrongful death suit.  Even more central to the story is the apparent ‘doctor for hire’ living with Mr. Jackson, Dr. Conrad Murray who varying reports suggest might have actually provided or at least injected Propofol, the highly dangerous anesthetic to Mr. Jackson. 

Reports suggest the doctor is not cooperating with police and everyone is waiting for the toxicology tests to come back to see if it was Propofol that killed Mr. Jackson.  Further reports that a chef in the Jackson household saw Dr. Murray with tanks of oxygen, which apparently is used while administering Propofol fuels speculation that charges could be brought up against the doctor if a link can be proven between him and Michael’s death.

It goes without mentioning that there are two other potential sources of suits against the doctor or other doctors.  First is the Jackson Family who will likely want to place blame away from Michael as well as potentially be awarded a large cash verdict from the doctor’s insurance companies should they or he lose any trial.  This is in the interest of the Jackson children as well as all those who benefit from the estate left by Mr. Jackson. 

Secondly, the concert company AEG who Jackson had a contract with for 50 concerts at the O2 Arena in London will pursue any legal avenues to recoup the lost millions they would have made from the concerts.  While they reportedly had insurance for the shows, it is unclear of Michael’s death, whether accidental or via 3rd party would qualify them for renumeration.  Targeting the doctors either via a civil trial regardless of the criminal outcome is almost guaranteed.  Make sure to stay on top of the latest developments in the Michael Jackson investigation at www.MichaelJacksonMurderTrial.com