Day 2 of Murray’s preliminary hearing included testimony from Alberto Alvarez, Michael Jackson’s logistics director. Alvarez claims Murray summoned him to Jackson’s bedside where the singer lay dying, and he first noticed Murray administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with one hand. Murray instructed Alvarez to collect and place various medical vials and an IV bag containing a white milky substance (possibly propofol) into plastic bags. Only then, Alvarez testified, did Murray order him to call for an ambulance. During cross-examination, Alvarez admitted that in previous interviews with police he failed to divulge Murray’s directive to remove potential evidence.
Richard Senneff, a 25 year veteran paramedic from the Los Angeles Fire Department, later took the stand. Senneff’s “gut feeling” told him Murray was not being forthright when he said Jackson’s condition “just happened.” Given Jackson’s dilated pupils, dry eyes, and cold skin, Senneff estimated the singer was a hospice patient, and had already been dead for approximately 20 minutes. He also felt Murray spuriously claim Jackson had no underlying condition, was simply being treated for dehydration and was only administered the sedative lorazepam – not propofol.
As hearings in Dr. Conrad Murray’s criminal case develop, the much anticipated sentencing of Howard K. Stern and Dr. Khristine Eroshevich will simultaneously take place tomorrow, Thursday, January 6. Last fall they were charged and convicted by a jury of facilitating lethal amounts of prescription medication to the former Playboy model Anna Nicole Smith. The reality-TV star died in 2007 from a drug overdose and was known to consume up to 20 pills at one time and nearly 1,500 in a single month.
The trial lasted over two months and the jury deliberated for 13 days. Stern was found guilty of two felony counts of conspiracy; aiding to obtain prescription medication and giving false names. Eroshevich was found guilty of two conspiracy charges, as well as two charges relating to prescribing and furnishing drugs to an addict. According to the Associated Press, prosecutors have sent a sentencing recommendation to Judge Robert Perry asking for felony probation with community service and fines – instead of time behind bars. Perry could sentence the duo to up to three years and eight months in jail, however, it seems unlikely.
A memorandum, filed by Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney “advocated sentencing both defendants to five years supervised felony probation” with 300 hours of community service and a $5,000 fine. Last month, Stern and Eroshevich filed a request for dismissal and reduction in two convictions – or even a new trial altogether. As we await the outcome, what is clear is that it’s time for drug facilitators to suffer the consequences so we can put a stop to this vicious cycle before it’s too late for others.
January 5th, 2011
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