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Jackson's Needle Problem
This probe into Jackson’s physicians has already degraded into finger-pointing within the LAPD, The Daily Beast has learned. Specifically, officials are upset that there was a multi-day delay between the time Jackson’s body was removed from the house and the execution of a search warrant, which resulted in the removal of several bags of prescriptions and medical equipment from the house. That timeline has raised questions about whether it gave a chance for anyone in the Jackson entourage to destroy possibly incriminating evidence.
An employee at the house, rented by Jackson’s concert promoter AEG, told The Daily Beast that he had once seen—several weeks before Jackson’s death—Dr. Conrad Murray administering an intravenous solution to the pop star in his bedroom. Murray was the physician in Jackson’s house when he died. When the employee asked a more-seasoned member of Jackson’s entourage what was happening, he was told that Jackson needed to be rehydrated with vitamins and fluids after his grueling rehearsals for his upcoming concert series in London and that it “was no big deal.”
Murray’s lawyers, when asked about this new revelation, told me, “Per our agreement with the Los Angeles investigators, we cannot confirm or deny the existence of any IV drugs or medical equipment in Mr. Jackson’s bedroom or whether Dr. Murray administered any such drugs to Mr. Jackson.”
The Daily Beast has learned that investigators will likely serve search warrants this week, possibly as early as today, on several doctors who might have enabled Jackson’s addiction. One investigator bristled when I asked if the swirl of public accusations, coupled with the delay of executing the warrants, meant the medical offices in question may have had the opportunity to destroy incriminating evidence and records. “We are doing it correctly and methodically,” he told me. “We will have a case when we are finished.”
Gerald Posner is the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism (www.posner.com). Posner lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
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Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
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Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
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Gerald Posner is former chief investigative reporter for The Daily Beast. He's the award-winning author of 10 investigative nonfiction bestsellers, on topics ranging from political assassinations, to Nazi war criminals, to 9/11, to terrorism. His latest book, Miami Babylon: Crime, Wealth and Power—A Dispatch from the Beach, was published in October. He lives in Miami Beach with his wife, the author Trisha Posner.
oliverckerr
Messy.
vesharlini
yeah so true
tiger73rd
Oh let's just leave all these poor people alone. The operating myths implied in The Constitution of this country would lead the guileless observer to believe that the pursuit of happiness might well include the right to get as intoxicated on any available substance as one could obtain, ingest and enjoy, not to speak of turning the innocent pursuit of a good night's sleep into a criminal act. Christ almighty life is hard enough without these censorious, self-designated, pietistic journalists and soi disant 'law-enforcers'.
katiewon
Really?? So if a patient is treated with addictive drugs for a legitimate ailment, and after it's medically necessary continues to self medicate with dangerous drugs with the HELP of physicians who took an oath to "do no harm" that's ok? I'm all for personal responsibility but what we have here is a reckless disregard for human life (to be the doctor to Michael Jackson and get some of that "Thriller" money). Classic definition of manslaughter.
Getting intoxicated is a danger to society and therefore the government has every right to protect ALL the citizens from choices made by persons who could pose a threat to others, and themselves. Would you like Michael Jackson driving around in YOUR neighborhood fueled with all those drugs?
What about YOUR pursuit of happiness to be safe?
And it's about time journalists began investigating stories and following up instead of being order takers too lazy to flesh out the REAL story. If they had, we wouldn't be in Iraq and Afghanistan.
So, what's in YOUR medicine cabinet???
tiger73rd
I'm not exactly certain what version of The Constitution you're reading, or in fact that you have ever read it, or in fact that you can read, but may I enlighten you that nowhere in that document is there anything resembling your suggestion that the government was formed to protect citizens from themselves. That's just Nanny State psychobabble. And what's in my medicine cabinet? The last time I checked the Bill of Rights is still the supreme law of the land and that being said your Orwellian self-righteous jingoism is no match to my right of privacy.
Artist50
I've lived with chronic pain for 25 years and have taken Vicodin for the duration. I take up to 5 a day, I'm sure I'm dependent but I'm not addicted. I've never taken more than what is perscribed, I've never sought it from various doctors and I'm tired of people thinking that everyone that takes drugs is an addict. If you're in pain you are rarely addicted. The MSM is so obsessed with drugs that I think many people who need them don't get them. When you're in pain and you take pain meds you also don't get high. You don't know what you're talking about.
Uncommonsense
tiger is a moron, seeking to aggrandize himself through haughty and meaningless verbiage. He probably is addicted to all sorts of nasty stuff, thus his objections to Posner's writings. Good post Katie!
MrsPeel
Artist50, I hear you. Similar experience here, only seven years instead of 25. When one has chronic pain, the meds go to the pain, not to getting high.
I hate taking pain killers because they slow me down. If I didn't have to take them, I wouldn't go near 'em.
People who have no clue, well, they just don't have a clue.
ryokisan
yeah, investigating sources they can't name. that is what drives me crazy. It's all rumors at this point and just because Posner says a "source close to the investigiation' said so and so doesn't mean it's true!
vesharlini
no...i would certainly would not like to have Michael Jackson to be on drugs rooming around like this in my neighborhood.......
YankeeFan
Time to take a civics class, tiger73rd. The pursuit of happiness is stated in the Declaration of Independence, not the US Constitution. And the part about the Bill Of Rights being the "supreme law of the land" - well, almost . . . the US Constitution is the supreme law of this country and the Bill of Rights make up the 1st 10 amendments to that document.
felixsama
Dude- "the pursuit of happiness" can't even be applied to marijuana! We gotta tippy toe around with medical (bucks for docs!) marijuana. If all drugs were legal their quality and administration could be controlled (they really want to get rid of or jail users- money for cops/ judges/ guards/legislators!) and of course, taxed- (money for all, wouldn't want that).
Logical
Why is the Daily Beast behaving like the National Enquirer with this tabloid journalist Mr. Posner. Mr. Jackson is dead and buried, time to move on to other topics and let his family grieve. Back to the economy.
KEEPBRITAINCLEAN
You said it right, time to move on and show some respect for his family.
dailyplanet
Right let's respect the Jacksons' family sensibilities. After all they lost a vital family member..one who has been basically supporting the whole lot of them for the last forty years.
newswoman
His family didn't want to grieve. they made a big show of his death. After all, they are nothing without him. What will Jermaine and the others do now? Hmmm? It was so overkill. It was an embarrassment and every African American defended him as the 'greatest entertainer, ever'. Yeah, right.
ryokisan
AMEN!
Southpaw
There should be more debate in the country on the subject of drug addiction. Many users turn to crime to support their needs and they and their dealers fill jails to capacity. If Michael Jackson's death brings to light the horrendous toll illicit drug use inflicts on society, so be it.
felixsama
You do mean the tremendous toll the illegality of drugs causes, don't you? Illegal drugs are often dirty and/or poor quality. They kill or land millions of people in hospitals costing society big bucks. If they weren't illegal they wouldn't be so costly and addicts would not need to turn to crime again costing big bucks for incarceration and causing so much tragedy on the ground. This whole debate is looked upon bass ackwards by most. Why do you think the English chose to legalize.........
PaintyKat
The real crime is the extent to which the pharmaceutical companies rob Americans every day on prescription meds. An act which should be illegal.
We need to stop building jails so we can fill them with poor folks who turn to drugs which are supplied by the wealthy in the first place. Had an overzealous prosecutor stuck to trials for crimes where he had adequate evidence to prosecute and not tried to manufacture a case against Mr. Jackson, perhaps the quality of Michael Jackson's life been much better. He might not have tried to hide within a drug fog.
I suspect folks abuse drugs to mask pain in their lives and those are the conditions we need to address instead of jailing more and more folks. We simply warehouse humans in inhumane conditions.
PaintyKat
PaintyKat
Amen. And isn't Gerald Posner the advocate for the "single bullet theory" in the Kennedy assassination?
exploora
Well I knew sooner or later we would be told the possible attraction and connection. How they met. Ok it doesn't sound very romantic.
I didn't think this marriage was based on lust and sexual fantasy any way, so my bubble hasn't been burst by this rather intrusive but informative article.
finderj
Geeze.
Speculate AFTER the two autopsies, please.
Kmoney
then why'd you read it? hoping for a rahm emanuel quote at the end?
Granite
MJ traveled with an anesthesiologist during his HIStory tour in the mid-90s? WTGDMF? That should have been a big f**king clue to his family that he needed help!
Sorry about the language but it makes me insane when someone ODs and there were obvious signs for years that this was going to happen.
janejax
Read the article on this site that is an interveiw with Deepak Chopra. He, along wit the Jackon Family tried an intervention.
CandiRue
Lady Sings the Blues:
The blues ain't nuthin' but a pain in yo' heart, when you get a bad start.
deathbychocolate
Who is the Thriller's killer? Joe Jackson, who abused him throughout childhood. How weird that Jacko wanted to turn custody over to his mother (and Joe Jackson).
What they say about child abuse being a cycle through generations is true. Now MJ's kids get to get disciplined by Joe Jackson!
Michael, this is you at your weirdest. . .
MrsPeel
I agree. And Katherine Jackson, who sat by and allowed it to happen. Consistent with the cycle of family violence, I realise she might have been abused by Joe Jackson as well -- although I've not heard reports -- but, still, she was their mother, and she was an adult.
Apart from the physical abuse, it's abusive to have taken away the kids' childhoods. I wish there was some recourse against both of them.
PaintyKat
Ain't it so? Absolutely.
keemia
I totally agree with the Daily Beast to look into this. There are doctors who make a living out of prescribing all kinds of medication to their unsuspecting patients, many of whom become addicted to those meds. There are several (unrelated) investigations in southern California about doctors who have addicted THOUSANDS of patients to pain killers. This practice must be stopped, and maybe MJ's death will be the catalyst to some restrictions on prescribing these types of meds.
Please. Keep digging.
rocketdog
just how do thousands of people unwittingly get addicted to painkillers? I have had them many times, when the pain went away, I stopped taking them, or if it didn't i went back to the doctor, usually they didn't prescribe too many more. people keep taking them because they want to, they like the way they feel, and they increase the dosage as well, to keep feeling that way, then they go doctor shopping to keep getting more and more of them, that is usually the initial doctor's fault.
Nuld001
Mr. Posner's continued in-depth revelations have provided us with tantalizing clues and has started to connect the dots that paints a grim picture of Michael Jackson surrounding himself with the enablers. Certainly Debbie Rowe and Elizabeth Taylor should be part of the official investigative process. We need to watch closely the antics of those to be indicted. It will be extremely interesting to see how the two separate autopsies match up or don't. Great reporting, Mr. Posner! Keep going.
*********************
Tina, please fix your auto notification which isn't working at all or at least tell your readers (like me) its being addressed. Thank you. - N
whatthel
I also think Mr. Posner's reporting has always been top notch.
liviapeacock
Sad. I knew he was strange, but how sad that the poor man wanted to be literally anesthetized...he must have been very lonely and very depressed.
Too bad he couldn't use his money to hire personal chefs, trainers and spiritual gurus to help get there naturally.
Really sad.
MadameDefarge
Wikipedia lists Rowe's occupation as "medical assistant" but unless she is a qualified RN, it would be illegal for her to give a patient injections.
AuntieLola
I keep seeing Ms Rowe referred to as a "nurse" or a "registered nurse", yet the state of CA has no licensure on file for such a person, and her education is listed as high school diploma. If this is true, she is at most a medical assistant, and not a professional nurse as keeps getting erroneously reported. Even as an RN (or any other health care professional) it would be illegal if not unethical to give a patient unecessary medications.
deathbychocolate
Posner, is it true Rowe is not a nurse? And, in California at least, is it true that "unless [Rowe] is a qualified RN, it would be illegal for her to give a patient injections"?
Madame Defarge and AuntieLola are making very important distinctions. Please follow up on their leads! Thanks.
MrsPeel
If she's a Physician's Assistant (PA), she could be accredited not only to administer but to prescribe. At least in Colorado.
DBFan2009
hasn't she only ever referred to herself as the dermatologist's "receptionist"? not everyone who works in a doctor's office is a PA or a medical "assistant." if you can answer a phone, look up files, file insurance claims, greet patients - that's a reception or secretarial job. if she then actually did administer drugs in any form, without a license or certified training, well, then, yup - that's illegal.
KEEPBRITAINCLEAN
oh! so the press got to know now, you guys want to sell trash even after his death, get a life you people.
pclayton
Come out of your dream state and off of your cloud. Poor little rich boy dies and leaves a huge mess for his family, and a funeral the people of California are asked to pay for--that makes it public and makes him fair game. He did live in the limelight, sweetie, and that's the price he paid.
whatthel
I think Gerald Posner's reporting is always top shelf, no matter what the story is.
katiewon
This is an episode of "Law and Order." The title "Thriller Killer." McCoy would have a field day with ALL of those doctors, and the ex wife.
Briscoe: "The man had it all, but apparently that wasn't enough."
Love it.
callme1
Yeah, and isn't truth stranger than fiction?
Who knew a famous person would end up addicted to anesthetics that are administered using an IV, and marries the administering nurse of the doctor who perscribed the drugs, and has two kids by this nurse, but uses the sperm of the doctor, and the nurse did not know that the sperm came from her boss.
Does MJ sound weird to you? Doh!
pclayton
You said it! Why is everyone so willing or needy to excuse this spoiled brat (even if he was black) for his excesses and self-centered lifestyle? He bought those kids and all of this so-called friends and physicians.
Thank you!
Thank you.
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