
In a further twist to the ongoing saga which has unfolded since the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, LAPD officers have now executed a search warrant to seize correspondence between Michael’s personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, and the Anschutz Entertainment Group [AEG] who were promoting his comeback concerts in London. But officers made it clear AEG were not the focus of these inquiries.
The warrant named seven doctors who treated Mr. Jackson, including Dr. Conrad Murray,
and lists 19 false names Michael is said to have used to gain illegal prescriptions. Dr. Murray’s spokeswoman, Miranda Sevick, said Michael hired the Doctor in May at $150,000 a month, and he had no connection with AEG. While people working for AEG refused to make any comment at all.
According to court records, the warrant was focused on finding “shipping orders, distribution lists, and use records relating to the purchase, transfer, receiving and storage of Propofol.” Dr. Murray is known to have administered Propofol [a drug so powerful, it’s usually reserved for use in operating theaters] to Mr. Jackson on the night that he died.
According to
LA Times reports, the LAPD has now upgraded their inquiry to a homicide case, and subpoenaed medical records and other paperwork from both Dr. Murray and numerous other doctors who were known to have been working with Jackson. The LA Coroner’s Office has said that a final toxicology report, which will show just what drugs he had taken on that fateful night – should finally be released sometime next week.
As if all
that weren’t enough, on Monday, lawyers for Michael’s mom, Katherine, and two trustees of his estate, John G. Branca and John McClain - both longtime friends of the star - will ask a court to determine who has control of the singer’s vast empire. Katherine and Michael’s three children are currently the main beneficiaries, together with numerous charities to be chosen by the three plaintiffs – assuming they were able to reach a consensus.
With his own recordings, plus the rights to the Beatles back-catalog, and merchandising and publishing rights, Michael’s estate is said to be worth hundreds of millions if not
billions of dollars. Mrs. Jackson wants to be made co-executor, along with the two men, plus detailed proof of the exact nature of the relationship between them and her son.
Lawyers for Branca and McClain are currently denying their clients are hiding such documents from Mrs. Jackson, and accusing her of trying to change Michael’s will to remove them from power. [And thus, all the money.]
If this sad, sordid story was a movie-of-the-week, no-one would watch. The case is ongoing and we’ll keep you informed.