Expert testifies against Michael Jackson's physician

Updated: 2011-10-21 15:11

(Xinhua)

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LOS ANGELES - A New York medical expert on Thursday continued to testify against Michael Jackson's personal physician who is charged of involuntary manslaughter of the pop superstar.

Expert testifies against Michael Jackson's physician

Anesthesiology expert Dr. Steven Shafer points to a bottle of propofol placed in an empty saline bag during his testimony in Dr. Conrad Murray's trial in the death of pop star Michael Jackson in Los Angeles October 20, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

On the 14th day of the trial, Steven Shafer, an anesthesiology professor at Columbia University, highlighted his claim with detailed simulating of how Conrad Murray admittedly administered the Propofol to Jackson in the hours leading up to his June 25, 2009 death.

Murray, 58, was a "physician who has brought proof into the room" to a patient who may have been developing a dependency to sedatives, Shafer noted, and he told Deputy District Attorney David Walgren that the cardiologist should be held directly accountable for the death.

In his testimony on Wednesday, Shafer, a key witness who agreed to consul for free on the high-publicity case, said that Murray committed 17 "egregious deviations" from standard care, which led to the King of Pop's death.

He also cast doubt on a report from a defense expert, Paul White, suggesting that Jackson may have orally consumed the Propofol that led to his death. "I was disappointed because it's not possible," Shafer told the seven-man, five-woman jury.

The defense is expected to begin presenting its portion of the case Friday by calling 15 witnesses after Shafer finishes his testimony.

Murray, who is set free on a bail of $75,000, faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if convicted of the felony charge.