LOS ANGELES — Investigators trying to figure out what killed Michael Jackson are looking for additional information from the doctor who tended to him as he was dying.
Edward Chernoff, who represents the physician Conrad Murray, posted a statement on his law firm’s website late Tuesday saying investigators from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office have asked for medical records in addition to those already provided by Murray.
“The coroner wants to clear up the cause of death; we share that goal,” Chernoff said in his statement. “Based on Dr. Murray’s minute-by-minute and item-by-item description of Michael Jackson’s last days, he should not be a target of criminal charges.”
Murray has emerged as a central figure in the investigation into Jackson’s death. The doctor, who had been recently hired by Jackson, was with him in his mansion and tried to revive him.
Although Chernoff has said the doctor didn’t give the pop star any drugs that contributed to his death, Murray has nonetheless received attention from those angry over the singer’s death.
“Dr. Murray was the last doctor standing when Michael Jackson died and it seems all the fury is directed toward him,” Chernoff said. “Dr. Murray is frustrated by negative and often erroneous media reports, he has to walk around 24-7 with a bodyguard. He can’t operate his practice. He can’t go to work because he is harassed no matter where he goes.”
Investigators found the powerful anesthetic propofol in Jackson’s home, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation. The person is not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity. The officials are working with the Drug Enforcement Administration and California attorney general’s office to determine how the medications got there.
Police detectives have already spoken to Murray twice — once immediately after the singer’s death and again two days later. Police investigators say Murray is co-operating in their investigation.
A cause of death has yet to be determined for the pop star. The coroner’s office is expecting to release autopsy results next week.
Chernoff’s spokeswoman Miranda Sevcik said the interview with coroner’s investigators might happen Friday. Murray is currently in Las Vegas, where he has a medical office, she said, and Chernoff would be speaking to investigators without the doctor being present.