Judge denies request to retest anesthetic linked to death of Michael Jackson
A magnified image of the top of a propofol vial is projected by the prosecution during the manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray, found guilty in the death of Michael Jackson, at the Los Angeles Superior Court on October 11, 2011 in downtown Los Angeles, California.
A judge has denied a request by Conrad Murray, convicted in the death of Michael Jackson, to retest a vial of the powerful anesthetic that killed the pop superstar.
Jackson died of an overdose of prescription drugs, including propofol and lorazepam, in June 2009.
Murray had been giving Jackson nightly doses of propofol to help the singer sleep as he prepared for a series of comeback concerts.
According to The Associated Press, Murray’s lawyers wanted tested the liquid found in a vial of propofol that authorities contend was used to help Jackson sleep on the day he died.
(More GlobalPost reports on the death of Michael Jackson: Conrad Murray trial begins over Michael Jackson's death; Conrad Murray wont testify in Michael Jackson trial)
Attorney J. Michael Flanagan had said the testing was necessary "to analyze the prosecution theory that Murray placed Jackson on an IV drip of propofol and the painkiller lidocaine then left the room," according to the AP.
However:
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor says Murray's defense attorneys knew about the vial at the start of the case and could have requested the testing months ago.
Murray is set to be sentenced on Nov. 29.
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