Doctor's girlfriend completes grand jury testimony
The girlfriend of Michael Jackson’s personal physician today completed her testimony before a Los Angeles County grand jury, her attorney said.
Nicole Alvarez, the mother of Dr. Conrad Murray’s infant son, appeared before the panel briefly Wednesday and returned this morning, said her lawyer, Joseph Low IV of Long Beach.
“She’s done,” Low said. “She participated fully.”
He said court rules guarding the secrecy of grand juries prohibit him from saying anything about the substance of her testimony. Another source familiar with the proceedings confirmed that Alvarez was present at the grand jury both days.
Authorities have identified Murray, 51, in court papers as the target of a manslaughter investigation in connection with Jackson's death June 25.
Sources with knowledge of the matter have said Alvarez, a 27-year-old actress who lives in Santa Monica, was summoned before the panel to answer questions because she was uncooperative with Los Angeles Police Department detectives seeking to interview her.
Alvarez's lawyer maintains that investigators tried to question her without a lawyer or advance notice.
Prosecutors can use the grand jury's subpoena power to compel statements from witnesses who are not forthcoming.
Murray has acknowledged giving Jackson sedatives and the anesthetic propofol in the hours leading up to his death.
County coroner’s officials said “acute propofol intoxication” combined with the use of sedatives caused the singer's death.
—Harriet Ryan and Richard Winton
