LOS ANGELES – The prosecutors in the manslaughter trial of the doctor charged over the death of pop idol Michael Jackson played a recording yesterday in which the singer was heard discussing his plans to build a hospital for children in a rambling, slurred conversation with Dr Conrad Murray, roughly six weeks before his death.
The recording was significantly longer than the clip played for jurors in opening statements last week.
It ends ominously, with the defendant heard asking Jackson whether he was OK after his voice trailed off.
“I am asleep,” Jackson is heard saying.
Forensic computer investigator Stephen Marx told jurors hearing the involuntary manslaughter case against Dr Murray that the audio was recorded on May 10th, 2009.
Jackson is heard telling Dr Murray that he wants to build the hospital after his planned series of comeback concerts. The singer tells the doctor that he is attempting to accomplish something that Elvis Presley and the Beatles did not.
“That will be remembered more than my performances,” Jackson is heard saying.
“My performance will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn’t have a childhood . . . I feel their pain.
“I feel their hurt. I can deal with it.”
Earlier, Mr Marx said he found evidence that Dr Murray was checking e-mails on his phone in the hours before the singer’s death.
Mr Marx, an investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration, testified that he found e-mails and attachments sent to Dr Murray containing medical records filed under the Jackson alias “Omar Arnold”.
Prosecutors are trying to show that Dr Murray was distracted and juggling multiple tasks when he should have been monitoring Jackson on June 25th, 2009.
Jurors heard yesterday from several women who called and texted the Houston-based cardiologist that morning.
Mr Marx said he also retrieved a voicemail message from Jackson’s former manager, Frank Dileo, five days before Jackson’s death.
Mr Dileo said Jackson had an “episode” the previous night without elaborating. “I think you need to get a blood test on him,” Mr Dileo said. “We’ve got to see what he’s doing.” – (AP)