Michael Jackson Autopsy Photos Will Be Allowed in Trial
The jury in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, the physician accused of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, will be allowed to see autopsy photos of the late singer.
Photos: Michael Jackson Remembered
Murray’s defense team had objected to this because they had felt the images were too gruesome and would create an emotional bias among the jurors. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor disagreed and declared that the images were not particularly graphic or inflammatory. The prosecution hopes that these autopsy photos will demonstrate that Jackson was healthy at the time of his death, and that the overdose of sedatives provided by Dr. Murray was reckless and unnecessary.
Photos: Michael Jackson Immortalized
The judge ruled against the defense in other matters as well. Pastor will allow testimony from women with whom prosecutors say Murray had extramarital affairs at the time of Jackson’s death, but will not include information about the doctor meeting them at strip clubs. He ruled against the defense’s request to delve into the singer’s troubled finances and various legal issues. Pastor also ruled that the prosecution can show footage of Jackson performing at rehearsals just before his death to illustrate the singer’s physical condition and demeanor.