AP Source: Coroner rules Jackson's death homicide | ABC30 Fresno

kfsn

By ABC30

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

LOS ANGELES After months of searches, interviews and investigations Los Angeles authorities have determined that Michael Jackson died of a homicide. According to the Associated Press, the coroner found a fatal combination of drugs in the pop stars system when he died. Forensic tests found the powerful anesthetic Propofol and two sedatives in a lethal quantity.

It was Dr. Conrad Murray who administered the drugs and he has been under investigation since Jackson's death on June 25th.

The news comes on the heels of unsealed court documents that detail what Murray has told investigators. He says he had been treating the star for insomnia about six weeks before his death. Murray says he had been injecting him with 50 milligrams of the anesthetic Propofol but feared his client was forming an addiction so he attempted to wean him off the drug.

On the day Jackson died, Murray again tried to induce sleep without Propofol . For several hours he tried various other drugs to promote sleep but with little success. Jackson repeatedly asked for the more powerful drug Propofol and at 10:40am Murray complied with a 25 milligram injection. Murray says at that time that he left Jackson so he could make phone calls. When he returned, his client was not breathing.

Dr. Joshua Prager said, "Walking out after administering a combination of drugs such as this is completely unacceptable and absolutely dangerous."

The coroners finding of homicide makes it more likely criminal charges will eventually be filed against Dr. Murray. The Jackson family has issued a statement saying in part. "The family looks forward to the day that justice can be served."