Police raid Jackson doctor for manslaughter link

AFP - Thursday, July 23

US popstar Michael Jackson addresses a press conference at the O2 arena in London, in March 2009. Federal agents and detectives swooped on the offices of Michael Jackson's doctor Wednesday as lawyers for the physician revealed police are treating the star's death as possible homicide.

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - - Federal agents and detectives swooped on the offices of Michael Jackson's doctor, as lawyers for the physician revealed police are treating the star's death as possible manslaughter.


A spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed that a search with the Los Angeles police took place at the offices of the Armstrong medical clinic in Houston, Texas, where doctor Conrad Murray practices.

Murray has emerged as the central figure in the mystery surrounding Jackson's death in Los Angeles on June 25 and was the last person to have seen the tragic pop star alive at his mansion.

The official coroner's report into the 50-year-old singer's demise has deferred the cause of death amid speculation that powerful prescription drugs he was believed to be taking may have been to blame.

Suspicion has also focused on a dangerous sedative -- propofol, which is known by the trade name Diprivan -- used to induce unconsciousness in hospital patients ahead of major surgery, which reports say was also found at Jackson's home.

Television reports showed several law enforcement agents entering Murray's Houston offices in a dramatic new twist to the four-week-old investigation.

Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff confirmed in a statement that the search warrant served by investigators had been seeking evidence of manslaughter.

"We can confirm that a search warrant was executed today on Dr. Murray's offices in Houston, Texas," Chernoff said.

"The search warrant authorized law enforcement to search for and seize items, including documents, they believed constituted evidence of the offense of manslaughter."

The wording of the warrant provided the clearest indication yet that authorities are viewing Jackson's death as a criminal matter.

Los Angeles police had previously refused to rule out homicide in the case but had shied away from making any formal announcement that the pop icon's death could result in criminal charges.

In a statement issued by Murray's lawyers late Tuesday, Chernoff said the doctor was anxious to assist authorities in their investigation and that a third meeting with police was to be scheduled after two earlier interviews.

"The coroner wants to clear up the cause of death, we share that goal," Chernoff said. "We don't have access to the most important information in this case... the toxicology report. We're still in the dark like everybody else."

Murray is currently in Las Vegas, his legal team said, and Chernoff insisted that "based on Dr. Murray's minute-by-minute and item-by-item description of Michael Jackson's last days, he should not be a target of criminal charges.

"Dr. Murray was the last doctor standing when Michael Jackson died and it seems all the fury is directed toward him," Chernoff said.

"Dr. Murray is frustrated by negative and often erroneous media reports, he has to walk around 24-7 with a bodyguard. He can't operate his practice."

In the immediate aftermath of Jackson's death, friends of the singer's family said the clan was unhappy with "unanswered questions" surrounding Murray.

"They (the family) are suspicious of this doctor and they have real reason to be because any other doctor would say 'Here's what happened in the last hour of his life and I was there. I gave him some medicine,'" family friend and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson said.

"(Murray) owes it to the family and to the public to say, 'These were the last hours of Michael's life and here's what happened.' That's a reasonable expectation."

Later Wednesday, an official from the Los Angeles Coroner's office visited the Los Angeles office of Jackson's former nurse Cherilyn Lee to obtain some of the singer's medical records.

Lee said in interviews after Jackson's death that the singer had repeatedly pleaded with her to obtain Diprivan for him but she had refused.

Michael Jackson has fourth child?

Michael Jackson is rumoured to have a fourth child.

Omer Bhatti, a 25-year-old Norwegian dancer, is thought to be the 'Billie Jean' singer's child from a one night stand in 1984.

Michael, who passed away last month, is said to have admitted to friends in 2004 he was his father. Omer is now believed to be seeking a DNA test to determine if he is a descendent of the 'King of Pop'.

The performer was also given a front row seat at Michael's memorial service on July 7, sitting next to the star's brothers and sisters, fuelling speculation he is related to the pop icon.

Although Omer's mother Pia and her husband Riz - who have both worked for Michael - refuse to talk about the star, Pia did tell Britain's The Sun newspaper yesterday (21.07.09): "He was the 'King of Pop'. But to us he was so much more."

Omer has also previously spoken about his special bond with the 'Thriller' singer, describing his "loyalty" in 2008.

He said at the time: "Loyalty is the most important thing for me.

"I have contact with Michael, and I think my loyalty to him is the reason we still have our contact. He is an unbelievably good human being."

Omer also lived at Jackson's Neverland ranch home for several years from 1997, and video footage exists of him unwrapping presents with Michael and playing with a toddler, believed to be one of Michael's other children - Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11 and Prince Michael II, also known as 'Blanket', seven.

The dancer was also at Neverland, in California, when police raided the property to investigate child molestation allegations in 2003.

Omer first met Michael in Tunisia in 1996 aged 12, and impressed him with his dance moves. He has since performed with the 'Smooth Criminal' singer in public and worked as a Michael tribute act across the globe.

The dancer's stepfather Riz is believed to have worked as a driver for Jackson while his mother is thought to have been a nanny.

Yesterday, Riz confirmed his stepson was in the front row for the emotional memorial concert at the Los Angeles Staples Center.

He said: "I know because I was watching. I told my wife, 'Just wait until the press see this. It's not a small thing.' Make what you like. I don't want to discuss anything."

(C) BANG Media International

Jackson's father suggests foul play in son's death

AP - Tuesday, July 21

LOS ANGELES - The patriarch of the Jackson family says he's taken his son Michael's death "very hard" and believes the doctor who took care of him could be behind the singer's demise.

Joe Jackson appeared on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday and implied his son's personal doctor may be to blame for the death.

Joe Jackson told King, "The doctor gave him something to make him rest, and then he don't wake up no more. Something is wrong there."

The family is awaiting the coroner's toxicology report to determine how Michael Jackson died. The results are not expected until next week. The powerful anesthetic propofol was found in the singer's rented home.

Hollywood eyes Michael Jackson movie: report

AFP - Wednesday, July 22LOS ANGELES (AFP)

US singer Michael Jackson performs at the World Music Awards in Earls Court, London, in 2006. A Hollywood movie made using footage of Jackson rehearsing for his planned series of comeback concerts could hit theaters by the end of this year, US media reports said Monday.

A Hollywood movie made using footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his planned series of comeback concerts could hit theaters by the end of this year, US media reports have said.

Daily Variety reported that Sony Pictures studio was close to agreeing a 50-million-dollar deal for worldwide rights to nearly 80 hours of footage showing pop icon Jackson rehearsing before his death.

The report said AEG Entertainment, the company which owns the material and had been behind Jackson's proposed series of concerts in London, had screened the footage to Hollywood studio executives last week.

Variety reported that Kenny Ortega, the choreographer for Jackson's new "This Is It" concerts and the director of hit film "High School Musical," was expected to direct the movie.

So far only a brief snippet of Jackson's concert rehearsals have been revealed to the public.

Footage released on July 2 showed Jackson practicing a song-and-dance routine at Los Angeles's Staples Center two days before his death, supporting accounts he had been in good health.

Associates of Jackson have described the 50-year-old pop star as being in good form, including at another rehearsal the day before his death.

Jackson collapsed and died on June 25 at his rented Los Angeles mansion. A final cause of death has not been revealed as coroner's await the results of toxicology tests.

Michael Jackson's confused son

Michael Jackson's youngest son thinks his father is on holiday.

Prince Michael II, also known as 'Blanket', doesn't realise his singer dad died last month and was left confused after the 'Thriller' star's memorial service in Los Angeles.

Mark Lester - who is godfather to Michael's three children, Prince Michael I, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old 'Blanket' - told Hello! magazine: "It is obvious to me that Blanket is still unsure about what exactly happened to his father. He said, 'Where's daddy gone? On holiday?' It was a rhetorical question and it broke my heart.

"Prince was taciturn, unusual for him, but we still had a hug. Paris gave me a tight hug and we just held each other for a while. We were both welling up. I told her that her dad would always lie in her heart and be remembered by at least half of the world. Paris replied, 'I'm just glad he is at peace.' "

British actor Mark, who rose to fame as a child star in movie musical 'Oliver!', also revealed his three godchildren - who are currently being looked after by Michael's mother Katherine Jackson, who has temporary custody of them - have begged to spend this Christmas with him and his family.

He said: "Paris was disappointed my daughters couldn't come to the memorial. She asked me, 'Can we come and stay with you at Christmas and I can bring the presents?'

"I was very touched and still hope it can be arranged. It's difficult to say until the custody arrangements have been finalised."

Mark, who is planning to attend the service when Michael's body is buried, also insisted Prince Michael I and Paris have no relationship with their biological mother, Michael's ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

The 50-year-old star explained: "The children don't know her and haven't seen her for years. The possibility the three children might be split up - 'Blanket', of course, is by another mother - is unthinkable and I believe it would be disastrous for them."

Meanwhile, Michael's father Joe Jackson has denied beating his son when he was growing up.

When asked about allegations he physically harmed Michael as a child, Joe told US TV talk show host Larry King: "That is a bunch of bull. That is not true. I never have. I raised him just like you would raise your kids. Why would I harm Michael? He was my son and I loved him. I still love him."

It was recently alleged Michael was left sterile and unable to have children after Joe kicked him in the testicles when he younger.

C) BANG Media International