The key buzz word in this high-profile case is ‘causation.’

Involuntary manslaughter trial of celebrity Dr. Conrad Murray

Some are referring it to the Michael Jackson death trial. 

As I contribute as a legal commentator/expert to one of the Fox Channel in Los Angeles, I predicted correctly that the juror would be picked efficiently and finalized on Friday, September 23, 2011.  As the trial progresses in its second week, the defense still faces an uphill battle.

On week one, the Los Angeles County prosecutor, David Walgren, delivered a very organized opening statement in which he stated a very detailed timeline will be provided to the jurors of Jackson’s death.  The prosecution will need to prove that as a result of Murray’s extreme deviation of the standard medical care and that his gross negligent acts caused Jackson’s death.

The defense team led by an attorney from Houston, Ed Chernoff revealed the defense strategy—to show that it just was not the Propofol administered by Murray that killed Jackson, but the additional dose that Jackson administered to himself. This is quite a tough defense—to say that Jackson self-ingested a dosage that cause his death is an uphill battle but the trial will evolve and defense tactics may prove successful.

But as we are now in week two of the trial and still in the prosecution’s case-in-chief, the compelling and damaging evidence continue to surface.  Alberto Alvarez, the first person to the bedroom besides Murray, indicated that Murray told him to take certain medications/pills/drugs and place them in a bag.  Why, Murray is not charged with obstruction of justice, is a question many have put out there, since it is quite apparent that Murray wanted to “sweep” the bedroom clean of any evidence that may be damaging to him personally and even for Jackson.

In week one, Jackson loyalists, the choreographer, the personal assistant, the chef, the lead security, set the scene for a medically neglected superstar. The paramedics and the ER doctor further affirm that Jackson was left to die without the proper supervision and expertise of Murray. In fact, the prosecutor detailed how Murray busied himself gathering damaging vials and dispensing false information.

The second week as I see it will be the analysis and the re-analysis of the drug (“the weapon”) Propofol that killed Jackson. It will be the Battle of Experts and how this powerful drug was the cause of Jackson’s death.  The prosecution needs to present this area of scientific evidence at its simplest form.  It is always challenging as a trial attorney to keep the jurors awake during the presentation of scientific jargon. As for the defense, it is their goal and tasks to “muddle” up the facts and confuse the jurors.

As we all know in the business and now the public since criminal trials and criminal shows have been so pervasive in our everyday lives, predicting the winner is never easy. 

The key buzz word is “causation.” Did the actions of Murray caused the death of Jackson?  The prosecutor clearly indicated he would show to the jurors that due to his acts and omitted acts, Murray and not Jackson himself is the reason the pop icon died at the age of 50.

While media legal commentators like, myself will be following this trial closely, the individuals that are hidden from public scrutiny and even viewing during the broadcasted trial are the 12 jurors and the 4 alternates.  As we know so well, their opinion and views are the only ones that will ultimately matter.