Bodyguard expected to testify against Jackson doc
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES – A bodyguard who prosecutors say was ordered by the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death to conceal syringes and other items before calling 911 is expected to shed light on the chaotic efforts that failed to revive the King of Pop.
Alberto Alvarez will testify Wednesday at a preliminary hearing against Dr. Conrad Murray about the doctor's attempts to revive the singer on June 25, 2009, his attorney said.
The bodyguard's testimony could provide key corroboration to the prosecutors' argument that Murray's actions demonstrated "an extreme deviation from the standard of care" by administering the powerful anesthetic propofol without the proper equipment, and also concealing it and botching efforts to resuscitate the singer.
An autopsy report found Jackson died from an overdose of propofol.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said Tuesday that Murray forced Alvarez, 34, to gather and conceal items before calling 911 to try to help Jackson. Walgren told a judge that he would present evidence that Murray waited much as 21 minutes before calling for paramedics.
At the end of the preliminary hearing, which was expected to go into next week, a judge will rule whether there is enough evidence for Murray to stand trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the pop star's death. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
The Houston cardiologist has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have contended he did not give Jackson anything that "should have" killed the singer.
On Tuesday, Jackson friend and choreographer Kenny Ortega described how the singer appeared sick during one rehearsal days before his death and left early. The rehearsals were for a series of planned comeback concerts in London.
Ortega said after that incident, Murray "was upset that I had sent Michael home the night before and didn't allow him to rehearse."
The hearing, attended by international media and fans, provided another glimpse into the private life of Jackson, a one-time superstar who grew reclusive after his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.
He was described fondly by former workers, even though the singer wouldn't allow staff into his bedroom or even the second floor of his rented mansion.
It was in that room that Walgren said Murray was providing Jackson propofol roughly six times a week since being hired as the singer's personal physician in May 2009. It was also in that room where Jackson died, the prosecutor said, long before help was summoned.
Another bodyguard, Faheem Muhammad, testified that he saw Jackson lying on his bed, his eyes and mouth wide open, when he arrived. He described Murray as panicked, and that the doctor asked whether anyone knew CPR.
The hearing was expected to include testimony from police, coroner's officials and forensic experts who will describe the mix of sedatives found in Jackson's system.
Preliminary hearings have a lower burden of proof than trials, and defense attorneys rarely present a case. Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, did not make an opening statement.
The 57-year-old cardiologist passed notes to his attorney, but did not speak during Tuesday's proceedings.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110105/ap_en_ot/us_michael_jackson_doctor
____________________________________________
TMZ
MJ's Security Guard: Murray Said Hide The Bottles
Alberto Alvarez, a bodyguard who says he was MJ's Director of Logistics, testified Dr. Conrad Murray instructed him to remove bottles from Michael's bedroom -- along with an IV bag with a milk-white substance, before calling 911.
Alvarez says he walked into MJ's bedroom sometime after 12:17 PM and say MIchael laying motionless. He says Murray told him Michael had "an allergic reaction," then ordered him to collect a bag of bottles and put them in a bag.
And this is big. Alavrez says Murray then "instructed me to remove the IV bag from the IV stand."
For the record, law enforcement believes the milky-white substance in the bag was Propofol.
Alvarez says there was a second IV bag -- which we know contained saline -- and Murray told him to leave it there.
Alvarez says only after the bottles and bag were collected did Murray tell him to call 911.
______________________________________
NN In Session
Alberto Alvarez, MJ's head of logistics, was the first to take the stand this morning. He spoke about meeting Conrad Murray.
Alvarez details discovery of MJ’s death & described frantic situation- Paris crying, Murray giving compressions, MJ on bed w/eyes wide open
Alvarez said, “After he [Murray] said ‘he had a reaction, he had a bad reaction I was frozen. I glanced around to look at the whole scene.
Alvarez continued, “He then grabbed a handful of bottles or vials and he instructed me to put them in a bag."
After describing how he helbed put items in a bag for Murray, Alvarez says he was the first to call 9-1-1.
Alvarez said he helped Conrad Murray give chest compressions & that Murray said that was the first time he'd given mouth to mouth.
KFI crime reporter
"bodyguard at prelim: MJ looked dead long before 911 call, Doc Murray confided he'd never done CPR before trying to revive Jackson"
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Bodyguard says Michael Jackson doc concealed vials
by ANTHONY McCARTNEY AP Entertainment Writer 02:35 AM Jan 06, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A bodyguard says he saw a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death grab a handful of vials and put them in a bag during frantic efforts to revive the King of Pop.
Alberto Alvarez was the first security guard to reach the bedroom where prosecutors say Murray administered a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson on June 25, 2009.
The 34-year-old testified Wednesday he was frozen at the sight of Jackson on the bed with his eyes and mouth open. He says Murray ordered him to place several vials the doctor had scooped up into a brown canvas bag.
Alvarez says the events occurred before he was told to call 911.
http://www.todayonline.com/BreakingNews/EDC110106-0000077/Bodyguard-says-Michael-Jackson-doc-concealed-vials
By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer
LOS ANGELES – A bodyguard who prosecutors say was ordered by the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death to conceal syringes and other items before calling 911 is expected to shed light on the chaotic efforts that failed to revive the King of Pop.
Alberto Alvarez will testify Wednesday at a preliminary hearing against Dr. Conrad Murray about the doctor's attempts to revive the singer on June 25, 2009, his attorney said.
The bodyguard's testimony could provide key corroboration to the prosecutors' argument that Murray's actions demonstrated "an extreme deviation from the standard of care" by administering the powerful anesthetic propofol without the proper equipment, and also concealing it and botching efforts to resuscitate the singer.
An autopsy report found Jackson died from an overdose of propofol.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said Tuesday that Murray forced Alvarez, 34, to gather and conceal items before calling 911 to try to help Jackson. Walgren told a judge that he would present evidence that Murray waited much as 21 minutes before calling for paramedics.
At the end of the preliminary hearing, which was expected to go into next week, a judge will rule whether there is enough evidence for Murray to stand trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge in the pop star's death. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
The Houston cardiologist has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have contended he did not give Jackson anything that "should have" killed the singer.
On Tuesday, Jackson friend and choreographer Kenny Ortega described how the singer appeared sick during one rehearsal days before his death and left early. The rehearsals were for a series of planned comeback concerts in London.
Ortega said after that incident, Murray "was upset that I had sent Michael home the night before and didn't allow him to rehearse."
The hearing, attended by international media and fans, provided another glimpse into the private life of Jackson, a one-time superstar who grew reclusive after his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005.
He was described fondly by former workers, even though the singer wouldn't allow staff into his bedroom or even the second floor of his rented mansion.
It was in that room that Walgren said Murray was providing Jackson propofol roughly six times a week since being hired as the singer's personal physician in May 2009. It was also in that room where Jackson died, the prosecutor said, long before help was summoned.
Another bodyguard, Faheem Muhammad, testified that he saw Jackson lying on his bed, his eyes and mouth wide open, when he arrived. He described Murray as panicked, and that the doctor asked whether anyone knew CPR.
The hearing was expected to include testimony from police, coroner's officials and forensic experts who will describe the mix of sedatives found in Jackson's system.
Preliminary hearings have a lower burden of proof than trials, and defense attorneys rarely present a case. Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, did not make an opening statement.
The 57-year-old cardiologist passed notes to his attorney, but did not speak during Tuesday's proceedings.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110105/ap_en_ot/us_michael_jackson_doctor
____________________________________________
TMZ
MJ's Security Guard: Murray Said Hide The Bottles
Alberto Alvarez, a bodyguard who says he was MJ's Director of Logistics, testified Dr. Conrad Murray instructed him to remove bottles from Michael's bedroom -- along with an IV bag with a milk-white substance, before calling 911.
Alvarez says he walked into MJ's bedroom sometime after 12:17 PM and say MIchael laying motionless. He says Murray told him Michael had "an allergic reaction," then ordered him to collect a bag of bottles and put them in a bag.
And this is big. Alavrez says Murray then "instructed me to remove the IV bag from the IV stand."
For the record, law enforcement believes the milky-white substance in the bag was Propofol.
Alvarez says there was a second IV bag -- which we know contained saline -- and Murray told him to leave it there.
Alvarez says only after the bottles and bag were collected did Murray tell him to call 911.
______________________________________
NN In Session
Alberto Alvarez, MJ's head of logistics, was the first to take the stand this morning. He spoke about meeting Conrad Murray.
Alvarez details discovery of MJ’s death & described frantic situation- Paris crying, Murray giving compressions, MJ on bed w/eyes wide open
Alvarez said, “After he [Murray] said ‘he had a reaction, he had a bad reaction I was frozen. I glanced around to look at the whole scene.
Alvarez continued, “He then grabbed a handful of bottles or vials and he instructed me to put them in a bag."
After describing how he helbed put items in a bag for Murray, Alvarez says he was the first to call 9-1-1.
Alvarez said he helped Conrad Murray give chest compressions & that Murray said that was the first time he'd given mouth to mouth.
KFI crime reporter
"bodyguard at prelim: MJ looked dead long before 911 call, Doc Murray confided he'd never done CPR before trying to revive Jackson"
_______________________________________
Bodyguard says Michael Jackson doc concealed vials
by ANTHONY McCARTNEY AP Entertainment Writer 02:35 AM Jan 06, 2011
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A bodyguard says he saw a doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death grab a handful of vials and put them in a bag during frantic efforts to revive the King of Pop.
Alberto Alvarez was the first security guard to reach the bedroom where prosecutors say Murray administered a fatal dose of the anesthetic propofol to Jackson on June 25, 2009.
The 34-year-old testified Wednesday he was frozen at the sight of Jackson on the bed with his eyes and mouth open. He says Murray ordered him to place several vials the doctor had scooped up into a brown canvas bag.
Alvarez says the events occurred before he was told to call 911.
http://www.todayonline.com/BreakingNews/EDC110106-0000077/Bodyguard-says-Michael-Jackson-doc-concealed-vials