If I Were A Michael Jackson Doctor

The United States Constitution affords any individual investigated for and/or charged with committing a criminal offense certain guaranteed rights, of which one of the most important is the right to remain silent. All that is required to exercise this right is to keep your mouth closed. What is hard to understand is why this is so difficult for some people to do.

As the direction of the investigation into Michael Jackson's death hinges on a coroner's report and a cause of death to determine if this will become a homicide investigation, the focus of the investigation is squarely on the Michael Jackson doctors believed to be responsible for providing him with the pharmacy of powerful drugs found in the singer's home after his death.

In any criminal prosecution, the burden of proof is entirely on the state to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A criminal defendant is under absolutely no obligation to assist in this regard. That being said, if you are a Michael Jackson doctor, why are you talking? Anything you say can, and will, be used against you.

As a possible suspect in the Michael Jackson death investigation, nothing good can come as a result of talking to the police. Just take a look at what has happened thus far. Let's review.

Almost immediately after Michael Jackson died, police wanted to speak with Dr. Conrad Robert Murray who was with Michael Jackson at the time of his death. After initially going into hiding, Dr. Murray emerged to speak with the police.

While the exact details of what was said are not known, what happened next is awfully telling. The police were able to obtain a number of search warrants for Michael Jackson's home. Whatever Dr. Murray said, it was enough to convince a judge to sign off on the search warrants which can only be issued if there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.

As a result of the search of the home, we have learned that LAPD investigators recovered numerous bottles of powerful prescription painkillers and empty bottles of a surgical anesthesia Propofol, a.k.a. Diprivan, which is used in hospitals to sedate people having surgery and has no business ever being used in someone's home. One theory is that Michael Jackson dies after receiving an injection of this Propofol.

Manslaughter anyone?

Police have now obtained a list of doctors from Michael Jackson's family. Dr. Murray is on the list as is Dr. Arnold Klein, a long-time dermatologist and friend of Michael Jackson's who is rumored to be the biological father of his children.

As for Dr. Klein, he has not only decided to talk but to do so very publicly, making statements about what medications he has given Michael Jackson on both Good Morning America and Larry King Live.

As for Dr. Murray, well at least he hired a criminal defense lawyer, Edward Chernoff, to represent him. Interestingly, Mr. Chernoff recently made a statement on behalf of his client adamantly denying that Dr. Murray ever gave Michael Jackson OxyContin or Demerol. However, when questioned about the Propofol, Mr. Chernoff was not so adamant and, instead, made a statement amounting to nothing more than no comment, saying "I have no statement on whether the Dr. prescribed or administered Propofol."

Now just this morning, TMZ reports that both Dr. Murray and Dr. Klein are refusing to turn over all the medical records requested by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office. Law enforcement sources say that both doctors have turned over some records, but the coroner's office has not gotten the complete file from either doctor.

Dr. Murray and Dr. Klein, or any other Michael Jackson doctor on that list, may very well have nothing to hide. They may have done nothing wrong. They may feel that they can help their own situation or will look less suspicious if they cooperate. However, this is not the point.

The point is, the investigation into Michael Jackson's death has taken on a very criminal feel to it. A mysterious and untimely death of a music legend and pop icon, search warrants, a virtual pharmacy of powerful drugs, empty bottles of a dangerous surgical anesthesia, subpoenas, and a powerful family demanding answers. While we don't know all the details of the investigation into Michael Jackson's death, we do know that his doctors are in the eye of the storm. Thus, if I were a Michael Jackson doctor, and I valued my freedom, I would exercise my right to remain silent and keep my mouth shut.

Written by Gabriel Dorman
gabedorman@gmail.com
www.criminaldefenseduilawyer.com/blog/