The People vs. Conrad Murray trial has now entered day 18. Today the defence kept calling their witnesses.
Gerry Causey
The first person to testify today was Gerry Causey, a patient for Dr Murray who had known him for 11 years. Causey met Murray after he had suffered a heart attack.
Causey told the court that Murray was not a greedy man and that Murray had not charged him deductibles (the amount of money that is not covered by the patient’s medical insurance). Causey also stated that Dr Murray was his best friend.
When hearing Mr Causey’s testimony Conrad Murray became emotional and began crying.
Mr Causey was then asked about his treatment. He stated that before the procedure he had to sign his consent for the treatment. There were also four other medical staff present in the hospital room.
Causey was also asked about interviews he had conducted with the media. Causey stated he was not paid for the interview and he did them "to help my friend... I know his love, compassion, his feeling for his patients. He's the best doctor I've ever been to.”
On the cross-examination the prosecution made the point that even if Murray was grossly negligent that Causey would still be a character witness for Murray.
On the way out Mr Causey angered Judge Pastor by kissing Conrad Murray on the head and shaking his hand.
Andrew Guest
The second person to testify was Andrew Guest, another former patient of Dr Murray. Guest stated that Murray was the best doctor he had ever seen and he was alive today because of Murray. Guest said “he's a great guy, he follows up with everything, makes sure everything's explained.”
Guest had to visit Murray in a hospital environment for treatment. A team were present to back Murray up. The prosecution used this account to state that every patient deserves that level of care. That administering Propofol in a bedroom without a team to back Murray up was not acceptable.
Guest also spoke about how four of the witnesses today had become friends. Guest had also conducted an interview with CNN. Guest stated he did this because he believed Murray was not getting a “fair shake.”
Walgren then stated that nothing would change Guest’s opinion of Murray. Guest stated this was correct.
Lunette Sampson
The third testimony of the day came from Lunette Sampson. Ms Sampson became a patient of Murray after she suffered three heart attacks. Ms Sampson stated that when other doctor’s could not find out what was wrong with her Dr Murray managed to diagnose her. Sampson believes she had never had a doctor more caring than Murray. She stated that Dr Murray is very careful and 'is not the type to rush through procedures'.
Sampson went on to say that Murray was not greedy or money hungry, he had often helped patients who did not have enough money for medication. Sampson stated 'he helps anyone who needs help'.
Dennis Hix
The fourth witness was Dennis Hix, a former patient of Dr Murray. Hix stated he has visited a lot of doctors in his life but had never received the care that he had from Dr Murray. As Mr Hix did not have good health care insurance Murray treated him for free.
Hix told the court that he had received the ‘sabbatical’ letter from Murray but had no idea he was going to be Michael Jackson’s doctor.
Since Murray treated Hix they have kept in contact as Murray children live next door to Mr Hix.
Dr Hix had previous given an interview to CNN regarding Dr Murray.
Ruby Mosley
The final testimony of the day came from Ruby Mosley, another patient of Murray’s. Ms Mosley was another patient to testify that Conrad Murray is not a greedy man.
Ms Mosley lives in a socially deprived area of Houston, Texas. Murray’s father was a doctor in this area and Ms Mosley stated that Murray made a commitment to open a clinic in the area to honour his father’s memory. Mosley stated if Murray was a greedy man he would never have gone to a community such as hers.
Mosley also told the court that Murray was a “very informed doctor” and was able to remember patient details. He took time to explain any details with her “to the extreme”
Ms Mosley is another patient who has spoken to the media regarding Conrad Murray.
The court was then adjourned due to scheduling issues.
Summery
Today all the testimonies were from former patient of Dr Murray and were for character reference purposes. The point of the testimonies were to show Dr Murray’s human side, what he is like as a doctor and as a man. The question is will this sway to jury at all? By all accounts (apart from the patient the prosecution called – where the patient said he felt abandoned by Murray) Murray’s patients believe him to be an excellent doctor that goes beyond his duties. To me this still does not change the fact he was administering a dangerous drug with no training, no appropriate equipment and not in a clinical setting. All of the patients who testified today were treated in a hospital setting, with monitoring equipment and other medical staff present. I believe after having such a damning trial so far that these witnesses will have little effect on the verdict. It doesn’t change the fact that in regards to Michael Jackson his care was not to standard.
After watching the trial for 5 weeks I still personally believe that Murray did not intend to kill Michael Jackson. He was offered the opportunity of a lifetime and took it even though he knew he was under qualified and ill-equipped. What he did was reckless and dangerous and his actions did cause Michael to die (this is my opinion from what we have heard so far. Of course the defence may still have something significant to present). But I do not believe he ever intended to harm Jackson in any way.
We must bear in mind that Michael repeatedly asked for Propofol from a number of doctors. He was also manipulative and blamed people if rehearsals would not be able to go ahead if he had not slept. This does put pressure on people and by being such a huge star people would feel a need to do what he asked. But in my mind a doctor is there to treat people. Conducting treatments that are not needed, with any training and not in a suitable environment is never acceptable. Just because a patient asks for something does not mean a doctor should do it. As Dr Shafer testified Murray acted like a member of Jackson’s staff and not a doctor.
Today’s witnesses are not necessarily reliable as they have shown they are biased as they stated that nothing would change their opinion of Murray. Guest stated he spoke to the media as he believed Murray was not getting a “fair shake”. This is very damaging as it shows he had come into court with a point of making Murray look good. We must remember that some of the prosecution witnesses would also have been biased towards Michael Jackson. For example it was obvious Kai Chase wanted to paint Jackson in the best possible light and to make Murray look bad.
The most valuable testimonies are from people who are external to the case, such as medical experts and pathologists. They have no reason to state anything apart from fact, which makes their testimonies far more reliable.
The big question now is will Conrad Murray take to the stand to testify? He is not on the defence witness list at present but the defence are keeping coy as to whether he will testify. The jury, and the rest of the world, would like to hear Murray’s personal account of that day. But I believe it would be a catastrophe to do so. Not only would the prosecution be able to rip his account apart with the evidence they have produced so far, I also believe the defence is so bad that they would ask questions that would further prove Murray is accountable. Remember that a few of the defence witnesses, in particular Dr Metzger, were there is help the defence’s case but instead stated they believed Murray was in the wrong.
The trial continues tomorrow.
Sophie Dewing
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