The big story at the moment is the People vs. Conrad Murray case in regard to the death of Michael Jackson. I thought I would take a passing interest in the case and read updates on the news. Instead I have found myself watching the trial live each night.
Although I am a big MJ fan I have always tried to approach the case objectively. I think Michael Jackson was the greatest perform to ever have lived, his music and dance inspiring and uplifting, his humanitarian work admirable and a genuinely nice, caring, gentle person. But I can still accept that Michael Jackson had a lot of problems and was a drug addict for many years. Although many MJ fan view him as some sort of saintly figure I very much can see that MJ was a human like all of us and indeed had flaws.
I have found it interesting to hear people’s opinions on the case. A lot of MJ fans are diehard in their approach and believe murder should be the charge. On the other hand a lot of people support Murray as they believe he is being gunned after only because the victim is Michael Jackson.
I believe there is a middle ground and it is important for everyone to cast aside any of their personal beliefs and just look at the evidence. To believe Michael Jackson was living a normal, healthy lifestyle until that one night is absurd. But to believe Murray is innocent is even more nonsensical because of the evidence that has proved contrary.
To look at the case objectively it is not about whether Conrad Murray killed Michael Jackson or not. It is whether a doctor acted appropriately to a situation.
From the opening statements it is clear he did not. Anaesthetics should never be administered outside a clinical environment and even if you are getting paid large sums of money you know by undertaking this, even at the request of the patient, that it is compromising your ethics and making you accountable. So therefore you should be extra careful and vigilant (although personally I would say you shouldn't be doing it at all).
Anaesthetics need to be constantly monitored and the fact Murray left the room for an extended period of time does show negligence.
It is advisable to establish that Michael Jackson was a drug addict and had asked for these treatments. It is also important to remember that Michael specifically asked for Murray to be his doctor although his team wanted to hire someone else.
Although I am a big MJ fan I have always tried to approach the case objectively. I think Michael Jackson was the greatest perform to ever have lived, his music and dance inspiring and uplifting, his humanitarian work admirable and a genuinely nice, caring, gentle person. But I can still accept that Michael Jackson had a lot of problems and was a drug addict for many years. Although many MJ fan view him as some sort of saintly figure I very much can see that MJ was a human like all of us and indeed had flaws.
I have found it interesting to hear people’s opinions on the case. A lot of MJ fans are diehard in their approach and believe murder should be the charge. On the other hand a lot of people support Murray as they believe he is being gunned after only because the victim is Michael Jackson.
I believe there is a middle ground and it is important for everyone to cast aside any of their personal beliefs and just look at the evidence. To believe Michael Jackson was living a normal, healthy lifestyle until that one night is absurd. But to believe Murray is innocent is even more nonsensical because of the evidence that has proved contrary.
To look at the case objectively it is not about whether Conrad Murray killed Michael Jackson or not. It is whether a doctor acted appropriately to a situation.
From the opening statements it is clear he did not. Anaesthetics should never be administered outside a clinical environment and even if you are getting paid large sums of money you know by undertaking this, even at the request of the patient, that it is compromising your ethics and making you accountable. So therefore you should be extra careful and vigilant (although personally I would say you shouldn't be doing it at all).
Anaesthetics need to be constantly monitored and the fact Murray left the room for an extended period of time does show negligence.
It is advisable to establish that Michael Jackson was a drug addict and had asked for these treatments. It is also important to remember that Michael specifically asked for Murray to be his doctor although his team wanted to hire someone else.
I also think it is important to remember that Murray was not an anaesthesiologist. He had no training in this field, he was not performing the procedure in a clinical environment and he had no monitoring or lifesaving equipment. Also as Murray was a cardiologist it seems he may have been incompetent in that capacity as he did not know how to administer CPR.
In the opening statements there was a lot of damning evidence shown by the prosecution but Murray defence was very weak. The only string they are holding onto is that Jackson killed himself when Murray left the room. This is highly unlikely as it is virtually impossible to do in the method they stated.
Michael Jackson was deeply troubled and it is plain to see the extent is worse than anyone imagined. I just think it is very sad that there were a lot of people around him and no one took a stand to do anything. It does seem that the greed of people overlooked the health and wellbeing of a man who then paid the ultimate price. Of course Michael Jackson was a drug addict and it is risky behaviour to live on a cocktail of drugs. But when people overlook this, add pressure and then ignore warning signs for their own benefit it is a sad state of affairs. A lot more people are culpable in this death but Murray will be the fall guy as he was the person directly responsible for Michael's health, of which he did not try to treat, instead he fuelled it. Combine with his incompetence as a doctor (for this type of treatment) it lead to Michael Jackson dying.
Everyone is going to have an opinion based on whether they support Michael Jackson or Conrad Murray but to look objectively there is still more evidence against Murray than for him.
I personally don't see how Murray will get away with this because he was negligent, he was unqualified and then acted completely inappropriately (and guiltily) but not telling all the information to paramedics, hiding evidence and not calling medics straight away.
The way I see it Murray was given an opportunity of a lifetime. He knew he was in no way qualified to undertake what was being asked of him but he decided he would try to blag. With this situation, where it is life threatening treatments if not done properly, blagging was never an option and he killed MJ through incompetence and negligence.
By agreeing to be Michael's doctor Murray was acknowledging he knew what would be expected of him and that he could undertake the treatment and procedures. Murray was someone Jackson trusted. And as the prosecution stated "that misplaced trust, in the hands of Conrad Murray, cost Michael Jackson his life"
I personally would say at this time a guilty verdict for involuntary manslaughter would be appropriate. Manslaughter is defined as a death caused by actions that were not planned or premeditated. I believe looking at the evidence thus far manslaughter defines this case.
To perform such a dangerous clinical procedure outside of a medical setting in a specialism that you are not qualified in it is very serious and reckless. As previously mentioned a person will know whether they are capable or comfortable or qualified to do certain undertakings and if they aren't but go ahead (presumably because of the large pay sum) they have to be held accountable for their actions. I think what also condemns Murray is his inability to inform medical professionals of the drugs he had given Michael Jackson and the fact he removed and hid evidence.
I do find it interesting how at no point the ethics or morality of a doctor administering and prescribing drugs to a patient who does not need them is being discussed. In the US the medical care system is so closely tied to profit and money making that if you have enough money your doctor will become your legal drug dealer. The practice of medicine is to heal the sick so the very thought of doctors partaking in this appals me.
I feel there may be a hung jury as it is subjective as to whether you believe Murray is accountable because he was performing something he had been asked to do by Michael. In the US the medical care system is very much profit over people. Whether the jurors believe in this system will play a part in how they reach their verdict. I have heard the argument that if a patient pays for a treatment they don't need then they should be held accountable if something were to go wrong as they knew what they were asking for. The opposing argument (and the theory I support) is that doctors and medical professionals should not be compromising medical ethics by giving people unnecessary treatments or prescriptions no matter how much money is involved. I think which side the majority of the juror falls on will ultimately decide which way the verdict will go.
The fact that in this case Murray was performing a life threatening procedure that needed training, a clinical setting and lifesaving equipment that he did not have does prove to me he is guilty of manslaughter.
What I take away most from the trial so far is just how sad and isolated Michael was in his final months. It truly breaks my heart that a person can be suffering so much and yet everybody around them ignores it for their own gain. Especially someone who I see as a sensitive, loving and a kind soul. His aim was to make people happy and spread the message of love. It feels exploitative and violating just how misused and abused MJ had been by people that were meant to look out for him. MJ had a lot of people in the world that loved him and yet the people who are meant to be closest to him had such disregard for Michael wellbeing. It is truly tragic.
I have always felt that Michael Jackson sacrificed himself for his art. It was always visible in pictures, even from a young age, that Michael carried much sadness and weight upon his shoulders. As he got older and became the biggest star that ever existed it was apparent people could not look past Michael Jackson the persona. Michael Jackson the person was wholly overshadowed. I can only imagine that the more famous his got the greater sense of isolation he felt.
It was also apparent that people always wanted a part of MJ, whether it was to be close to him, garner fame off him, wanting any snippets of information that could create more gossip and rumours surrounding the enigma that evolved or the greed of wanting to make money off of his back. This vulture like obsession with Michael Jackson, from the public, the press and his associates, has always been something that makes me uncomfortable. And it hasn't been until this trial that the extent of the damage it did to Michael Jackson's mental and subsequent physical health has been revealed. And it is truly shocking and wholly upsetting. The fact that Michael Jackson the persona was loved by millions around the world yet Michael Jackson the man was emotionally neglected by the people around him truly hurts my heart.
It was also apparent that people always wanted a part of MJ, whether it was to be close to him, garner fame off him, wanting any snippets of information that could create more gossip and rumours surrounding the enigma that evolved or the greed of wanting to make money off of his back. This vulture like obsession with Michael Jackson, from the public, the press and his associates, has always been something that makes me uncomfortable. And it hasn't been until this trial that the extent of the damage it did to Michael Jackson's mental and subsequent physical health has been revealed. And it is truly shocking and wholly upsetting. The fact that Michael Jackson the persona was loved by millions around the world yet Michael Jackson the man was emotionally neglected by the people around him truly hurts my heart.
I strongly believe 'This Is It' should never have even been happening. Michael was in a lot worse state than anyone could imagine. We all knew he was a drug addict but not to this degree. I think it would have been very hard for him to complete the tour and that what has come to light so far shows that no one was looking out for his best interests.
It is such a sad state of affairs. My heart really breaks for him. He was a good guy and did not deserve to have his problems ignored and fuelled so other people could make money.
I just feel really sad that Michael Jackson left this life in that sort of state.
The only thing we can hope is that Michael is now at peace. And I hope once a verdict is reached then the press and public can remember MJ for the inspiration he is and will forever continue to be. Maybe he will finally be able to rest and the soul of Michael Jackson the person will finally be released.
I just feel really sad that Michael Jackson left this life in that sort of state.
The only thing we can hope is that Michael is now at peace. And I hope once a verdict is reached then the press and public can remember MJ for the inspiration he is and will forever continue to be. Maybe he will finally be able to rest and the soul of Michael Jackson the person will finally be released.
