Authorities search office, home of Michael Jackson's doctor
Law enforcement officials served search warrants this morning at the Las Vegas home and medical office of Dr. Conrad Murray, the target of a manslaughter investigation into Michael Jackson's death.
Michael Flanagan, assistant special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, confirmed that both searches began about 9 a.m. Authorities said they were looking for documents, which typically include computer searches, but provided few other details. The search warrants are sealed, Flanagan said.
Local TV stations showed footage of officials going into the Red Rock Country Club area of Las Vegas, where Murray owns a home. It was unclear whether the physician was there. At his medical office, Global Cardiovascular Associates, a couple of people were present, but declined to say if the office was open for patients.
The Las Vegas searches come less than a week after the DEA, Houston police narcotics officers and Los Angeles police detectives searched Murray's clinic and a storage unit. In those searches, they seized e-mails, storage unit receipts, a copy of Murray's biography and Rolodex cards, according to the inventory of items filed with the Harris County District Court.
Authorities also interviewed the manager of Murray's storage unit, who said Murray's office staff removed several boxes from the facility on the morning of Jackson's death, hours before the pop star was pronounced dead.
The court records were the first public confirmation by police that Murray was a focus of their probe. Detectives previously had interviewed Murray but had declined to identify him as a suspect.
Murray's attorney has said that his client did not give Jackson any narcotics or other medication that "should have" caused his death.
Murray, a cardiologist with practices in Las Vegas and Houston, had been hired to care for Jackson at a monthly salary of $150,000. Murray was at Jackson's home June 25 and found the singer not breathing. He administered CPR before paramedics were called.
The singer was officially pronounced dead at UCLA Medical Center. Sources familiar with the investigation have said that authorities removed propofol, a powerful anesthetic, and other medications from Jackson's home.
Murray's attorney, Edward Chernoff, has declined to comment on whether the doctor administered the drug, which is most commonly used by anesthesiologists in hospitals.
-- Ashley Powers in Las Vegas, Harriet Ryan and Kimi Yoshino in Los Angeles
Top story, eh? You folks ever think about the decline in respect for journalism?
Posted by: H Hilborn | July 28, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Sad thing is, if this was anyone else, this would have been long over with. Not fair to prosecute the Dr's - ALL medications have inherent risks - it is up to the user to no the limits http://www.slicefinder.com
Posted by: Tom Ferguson | July 28, 2009 at 12:47 PM
There is only one person responsible for Michael Jackson's death and that is Michael Jackson. End of story.
Posted by: Mendy Spencer | July 28, 2009 at 01:29 PM
wow! why do we even go to doctors for medical care, they dont need 8 + years of schooling, just go to the local police station they seem to better understand how to give better medical care!
Posted by: john doe | July 28, 2009 at 01:56 PM
The reports you have stated about the drug “Propofol” have not been completely accurate.
I have read the pharmaceutical report of this drug from the Wikipedia website, and it states, “Protocol is versatile; the drug can be given for short or prolonged sedation as well as for general anesthesia.
It also states, “Any physician administering this drug without proper cause (surgery) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”. It does not say a physician cannot administer it.
Finally, you should report that this drug states if abused, if can produce mild euphoria, sexual hallucinations and disinhibition. This may be the reason that Michael Jackson did have sexual hallucinations.
Read on: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propofol
Posted by: knowdalaw | July 28, 2009 at 02:41 PM
Who hired the Dr? they should also be responsible for not checking his credentials...i think it was the promoters...
Posted by: dclark | July 28, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Dear all,
The truth is somewhere in the middle... in my personal opinion is the doctors fault if he knew Jackson was addicted to the medicine and knew his history of abusing anti depresive pills etc...he should've helped him seek help instead of keeping him sedated. Also he called in 911 when it was too late.... So he neglected his patient - end of story.
Posted by: Laura C | July 29, 2009 at 12:06 AM