Jackson had pulse when found, lawyer for doctor says
LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson still had a faint pulse and his body was warm when his doctor found him in bed and not breathing, a lawyer for the doctor told The Associated Press on Sunday.
Edward Chernoff also said Dr. Conrad Murray never prescribed or gave Jackson the drugs Demerol or OxyContin. He denied reports suggesting Murray gave Jackson drugs that contributed to his death.
Chernoff told the AP that Murray was at the pop icon's rented mansion on Thursday afternoon when he discovered Jackson in bed and not breathing. The doctor immediately began administering CPR, Chernoff said.
"He just happened to find him in his bed, and he wasn't breathing," the lawyer said. "Mr. Jackson was still warm and had a pulse."
Jackson's family requested a private autopsy in part because of questions about Murray, the Rev. Jesse Jackson said Saturday. Murray also told the family an autopsy should be performed, Chernoff said.
Three days after the death of the King of Pop, celebrities descended on Los Angeles for a spectacular celebration of Jackson's life at the annual BET awards show.
Joe Jackson, Michael's father, walked on the red carpet wearing a black hat, sunglasses and a dark suit. He planned make an onstage appearance, show publicist Bobbi Marcus said.
"I just wish he could be here to celebrate himself," he said. "Sadly, he's not here, so I'm here to celebrate for him."
In a statement read at the show, Jackson's parents said they solely had the personal and legal "authority for our son and his children." It was their strongest declaration yet about their son's affairs.
People close to Michael Jackson have said since his death that they were concerned about his use of painkillers. Los Angeles County medical examiners completed their autopsy Friday and said Jackson had taken unspecified prescription medication.
Chernoff said any drugs the doctor gave Jackson were prescribed in response to a specific complaint from the entertainer.
"Dr. Murray has never prescribed nor administered Demerol to Michael Jackson," Chernoff said. "Not ever. Not that day. ... Not Oxycontin (either) for that matter."
Paramedics were called to the mansion while the doctor was performing CPR, according to a recording of the 911 call.
Because Jackson was so frail, Murray "administered with his hand behind his back to provide the necessary support," Chernoff said. Some have speculated the doctor botched the CPR.
"He's a trained doctor," Chernoff said. "He knows how to administer CPR."
Medics spent three-quarters of an hour trying to revive Jackson. He was pronounced dead later at UCLA Medical Center.
Recent comments
I do not believe that the picture to the right of the fan and Micheal...
Anonymous | June 29, 2009 at 10:44 a.m.
- Obama: 'Our security is at stake' 10:29 p.m.
- Laid-off Utahns could lose coverage 10:22 p.m.
- Water year off to dry start 10:21 p.m.
- Philpot may run for Congress 10:20 p.m.
- Correction: Governor's Mansion tour 10:20 p.m.
- Volleyball MVPs 10:19 p.m.
- Lopez's ex-husband can't use videos 10:18 p.m.
- James Woods settles lawsuit 10:18 p.m.
- The Number: 56% say war was right 10:16 p.m.
- Regis recovering well from surgery 10:15 p.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- MWC '09 season in review
- Jazz win 6th in 7 games
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
904 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
482 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
401 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
346 - Utes won't respond to Hall
275 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
236 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
158 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
128
My husband was teaching his 6th-grade class in Salt Lake last year when...
Neighbor,did she go to Davis High or Layton? My daughters both went to...
I would like to get some revenge on arizona after giving that game away last...
I'm a Coug fan, and thrilled to death about the rivalry victory, but I...
Its ironic that Max Hall's own irresponsible and hateful words are more...
I have pretty much nothing as far as money or worldly possessions go, yet I...
From your perspective this probably was a bowl game for you. You should...
As a Ute fan, I totally agree with the selections. They (TCU) were so...
It is strange that Obama would let the enemy know what our plans are.
Just biding time, but I still dont see how Davis is ranked so high if they...
How can this administration protect our country when they can't protect their...



