Jackson doctor a 'mismatch' for drug-addicted star

Michael Jackson's doctor was clearly a "mismatch" unsuitable to care for the singer on his doomed 2009 tour, since he was not specialized in drug addiction or insomnia, an expert testified Tuesday.

 

Jackson was well known to have a history of sleep problems and abusing painkillers, Dr Daniel Wohlgelernter told a trial where Jackson's 82-year-old mother is suing tour promoter AEG Live for negligently hiring Murray. Wohlgelernter, a trained heart specialist like Murray -- who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 -- also criticized

Jackson's former physician for using the anesthetic propofol, and for his actions the day Jackson died. "My opinion is that Conrad Murray repeatedly failed (to meet) the standard of care in his treatment of Michael Jackson," he said. 

 

Jackson died on June 25, 2009 from an overdose of propofol, administered by Murray to help the singer sleep after rehearsals in  Los Angeles for a series of concerts in London and his planned "This is It" world tour. Wohlgelernter said Murray made repeated mistakes, including using propofol outside of a hospital, leaving Jackson unattended, focusing on his heart rather than breathing when he found him apparently lifeless, and delaying calling 911. "My opinion is that these departures from the standard of care... were a substantial factor in the death of Michael Jackson," said the senior cardiologist, brought as a witness by Katherine Jackson's lawyers. 

 

Jackson's health problems were well known: he had cut short his "Dangerous" tour in 1993 and announced he had a drug addiction, notably to painkillers following treatment for burns to the scalp suffered during a Pepsi advert in 1984. Murray had no specialized training for such problems. "For Michael Jackson, given that he had no history of heart disease... a cardiologist's experience and skills and credentials would not be appropriate. "It's a mismatch, it's not what he needs," he said, adding: "My opinion is that Dr. Murray was not an appropriate choice to serve as Michael Jackson's physician on the 'This is It' tour." "It's not the right doctor for this patient."

 

-Sapa-AFP