Conrad Murray Trial: Testimony About Drugs in MJ’s System

Conrad Murray awaiting trial

A toxicologist from the Los Angeles coroner’s office will resume testimony today about the drugs found in Michael Jackson’s system to begin the ninth day of proceedings in Dr. Conrad Murray’s involuntary manslaughter trial.

The court heard from Dan Anderson, Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office toxicologist, who worked on the singer’s autopsy. Anderson testified about the various substances found in Jackson’s system, including the propofol, lorazepam, midazolam, lidocaine, diazepam, nordiazepam, ephedrine, and valium found in his blood.

Substances found in Michael Jackson's system

Dr. Conrad Murray’s lawyer suggested that a coroner’s investigator made “substantial mistakes” when she searched Michael Jackson’s bedroom after the pop icon’s death and that she has made significant changes in her testimony since the preliminary hearing last January. Los Angeles County Coroner’s investigator Elissa Fleak was on the witness stand all morning, as Murray defense attorney Ed Chernoff, aggressively questioned her in an attempt to poke holes in her investigation tactics.

REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/POOL PHOTO

The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson died of “acute propofol intoxication,” and that sedatives were also a factor. Prosecutors contend Murray is criminally liable for Jackson’s death because he recklessly administered the propofol, a potent surgical anesthetic drug, and was negligent in properly monitoring Jackson.

CNN.com reported that defense and prosecution sources say the trial should go to the jury within the next two weeks. The court will break on Monday for Columbus Day.