LOS ANGELES (AP) — Prosecutors opened the trial of the doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death by playing an audio recording of the pop superstar slurring his words and talking about his upcoming concerts.
Prosecutor David Walgren told jurors the audio was retrieved from Dr. Conrad Murray’s cell phone. Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
Jackson’s voice was unrecognizable on the recording. He was speaking slowly and Walgren described the singer as highly under the influence during the conversation.
It was the first time the audio was disclosed or played in public.
Walgren used the audio to bolster his point that Murray should have known better than to continue giving Jackson the powerful anesthetic propofol, which was cited as a cause of Jackson’s death.
