The first week of the Michael Jackson unlawful death trial came to a close May 3, 2013. The jury heard opening statements from both Katherine Jackson and the concert promoter AEG Live. While Katherine Jackson’s lawyer claimed that AEG did not know there was a problem, the lawyer defending AEG countered that Michael was secretive about receiving the anesthetics propofol, only Michael himself and a few doctors knew about it.
The testimony started off with Detective Orlando Martinez and the first paramedic to reach Jackson’s bedroom the day of his death. Martinez told the jury on May 2 that he believed the former doctor, Conrad Murray, was $500,000 in debt and was willing to do whatever he could to get paid.
“He may break the rules, bend the rules, do whatever he needed to do to get paid,” Martinez said. “It might solve his money problems.”
Martinez believes that Murray’s actions were being motivated by a monthly $150,000 check he was expected to receive from AEG. Martinez also stated that while Murray was in the ambulance with Jackson, he had made a call to his girlfriend suggesting that she clear out his apartment and cover up any evidence of pharmaceutical acquisition.
In the upcoming weeks of the predicted two to three month trial, Conrad Murray as well as Michael’s children, Prince, Paris and Blanket may be called upon as witnesses. Also, the coroners’ staff will more than likely be asked about Jackson’s overall health when he died, as well as what killed him.
