Michael Jackson's death: Police seek to question Las Vegas doctor

Police investigating Michael Jackson’s death are seeking to further question a Las Vegas cardiologist who was present at the performer’s home when he went into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing, according to police and other sources familiar with the probe.

Dr. Conrad Murray, 51, who is licensed in Texas, Nevada and California, was administering CPR to the performer Thursday when paramedics arrived at his rented Holmby Hills home. Murray accompanied Jackson, 50, to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where the singer was pronounced dead.

Sources said investigators briefly spoke to Murray but had additional questions for the doctor. The Los Angeles Police Department impounded Murray’s luxury sedan, which was parked at Jackson’s home, a police source familiar with the investigation said.

Detectives with LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide division are still trying to determine what treatment, if any, Murray gave Jackson in the hours before his death, the source said. According to published reports, Jackson had received a shot of the painkiller Demerol before going into cardiac arrest.

The singer struggled for years with addiction to painkillers. An advisor to Jackson, Dr. Tohme Tohme, who had rejoined the singer’s team last week, said he never saw pills or other medication at the rented home.

“I’m not aware of him taking anything,” Tohme said.

At a Monday rehearsal at Staples Center, he said, Jackson was happy and performed the challenging routines for his scheduled London concert series without any problem.

“He was in the best of health. He performed unbelievably,” said Tohme, who is trained as an orthopedic surgeon but not currently practicing.

A message left at Murray's Las Vegas office, Global Cardiovascular Assn., was not returned. A receptionist at Murray’s Houston office said the physician was not in Texas, but declined to elaborate on his whereabouts.

-- Harriet Ryan and Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[SgtJohnMStryker]

Here's another shoddy investigation and major blunder by the infamous LAPD / Homicide Division... Why wasn't Dr. Murray detained and questioned extensively by the Bureau? This is a major requirement considering the individual and circumstances. SOP at all potential Homicides would be mandatory in this incident. Especially if Dr. Murray was not going to sign the death certificate... All kinds of red flags are being raised and should be. Dr. Murray will come forward, but as you and I are well aware of, he will, but only if an attorney is present..... Chief Bratton, what was your Homicide Bureau thinking? Now, answer... Why?

[donald k roche]

I am saddened by the death of michael jackson. we were the same age. I spoke to him about 2 years ago. I was in court in wilmington nc 12-06-07 and his name was evedence that we both had radar pointed at us at different times. Is there someone that can tell if radar was a factor in his death? My tel.910-798-5342. I spoke to the la times on this phone befors. Thank you. My sympathy for the jackson family. I donated blood a few years ago at childerens hospital in boston that michael was aware of. I use to live in mass.

[Ronald Langford]

Anytime property is impounded, it is an investigation. People die every day while under Dr's care without this kind of police response. The action taken here is an investigation. More troubling are the family lawyer's comments, which should be investigated by the State Bar to determine if there was a breach of the attorney/client privilege. Whatever his concerns, he obviously became aware of them via his professional relationship with the family.

[Lt Dan Coons]

I think the LAPD should hire the producers from TMZ to conduct criminal investigations!

[Rocco]

On TV yesterday, they referred to them as the 'elite' robbery homicide detail. Maybe they meant 'delete', as in losing evidence and an opportunity to get facts.

[Alice Peterson]

Ronald Langford you are a prime example of what is wrong with Americans. Your first concern is litigation and making someone pay. Punishing his attorney will not bring Michael Jackson back. The fact that you think that is "more troubling" than what actually caused Michael's cardiac arrest is disgusting and typical. Shame on you.

[Missy]

Ronald Langford, there is no attorney/client priviledge here. The attorney is not speaking about a lawsuit, he is speaking about what he told the family about Michael's painkiller use because he was worried about him. He was just merely stating a fact and that is ok for him to do. And in some cases the attorney/client or doctor/client priviledge is gone once the client is deceased.

SgtJohnMStryker, you are correct. The doctor will show up with his attorney. Isn't that the way it happens. But in LAPD's defense, the doctor went to the hospital with Michael and probably left from there with someone. You can imagine how chaotic things may have been and I know you know LAPD doesn't handle chaos well. :-)

[careee]

I will have to agree--why would they not hold this Dr for questioning--wouldn't it be suspicious--50 years old just past a physical and was in good health..and lo and behold the physician is with him when he goes into cardiac arrest...
he probably could have been saved but they were trying to save their own asses and remedy a situation gone awry instead of calling 911 immediately. Reminds me of the actor in NY when the "Masseuse" decided to call the Olsen twin instead of an ambulance.....".these people" think of themselves only

[MoeG]

Murrey's TX "criminal defense attorneys" issued this statement. States he has been in LA since MJ's death, but I recall a press report that stated Murray went to his office/home in Las Vegas(?) I suspect he lied to his new attorneys and will lie to LA PD. Facts will show that Murray is a parasite MD and his actions resulted in MJ's death.

Come on LA PD, get the facts and then spoon feed (if needed) the LA DA's office.

The Jackson Family will sue Murray, AEG Live, et al, within a month.
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http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/06/75836/

The attorney representing Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician, has released a statement to ET about the investigation into the pop star's death.

Dr. Murray's attorney says that Murray has been fully cooperative with investigators, and will be answering questions to authorities through most of Saturday.

The statement also says that Dr. Murray is a witness and not a suspect in the death investigation of Michael Jackson, adding that Dr. Murray was "distraught" over the pop star's death, rode to the hospital with Jackson on Thursday, and made "frantic attempts to revive him."

The full statement reads:

"Investigators in L.A. are currently looking into the death of Michael Jackson. Dr. Conrad Murray has been in Los Angeles since Michael Jackson's death and has fully cooperated with investigators. Dr. Murray will likely be answering questions for most of the day with investigators. Dr. Murray has retained the Houston law firm of Stradley, Chernoff & Alford. Edward Chernoff, a partner in the firm, is currently meeting with investigators in Los Angeles.

"Investigators have made it clear to Mr. Chernoff that Dr. Murray is considered to be a witness to the events surrounding Michael Jackson's death and he is not a suspect. Dr. Murray hired legal counsel to help guide him through the police investigation process. The law firm was hired to make sure the police investigation is conducted properly. Dr. Murray rode with Michael Jackson to the hospital and made frantic attempts to revive him along the way. Dr. Murray considered himself to be a friend of Michael Jackson and he is very distraught over his death. He will continue to cooperate in every respect."
Posted June 27, 2009 4:45:00 PM

[...Temujin..Khan..of..the..Yakka..Mongols...]

.
..
..I think Murdock had the goods on the Doctor. Where was he on the night of the 24th. Who shot Flint..??