I was as shocked as anyone to see that Michael Jackson's death was ruled a homicide by the coroner. While we all figured out that the drugs killed him, an accidental overdose is certainly not the same as negligence on the part of a physician. It turns out that Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's physician, may have displayed a deadly combination of both unethical behavior and serious incompetence. At least that's how things are shaping up.
There is the broader issue of money. We all know that Michael Jackson paid Dr. Murray $150,000 per month to get him the drugs he needed. That's a lot of money to turn down, so even if we are disgusted by what Murray did, most of us can understand the temptation. There is also the added fact that Michael Jackson, a larger than life celebrity, is begging you for drugs that are available with the stroke of a pen. That would make anyone do a double-take.
There is a clear risk/return trade-off here, in which Murray was being asked to do something illegal in exchange for a great deal of money. Some of us can understand how a doctor with money problems might be tempted to take some extra cash to give away access to his stash of dope. After all, Jackson was the one asking for the drugs, so should he be held responsible for any of these outcomes?
The Jackson Investigation
Josh Madden (C) poses with Dee and Ricky at the "Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite 1" album release party at The Eldridge on August 25, 2009 in New York City. "Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite 1" Album Release Party The Eldridge New York, NY United States August 25, 2009 Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com To license this image (58175439), contact WireImage.com
Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES - JUNE 25: (FILE PHOTO) Media and fans gather outside the home of pop star Michael Jackson on the 100 block of Carolwood Drive after his death on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. According to Reports, after almost two months, The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled the death of Michael Jackson as a homicide due to a fatal combination of drugs. (Photo by Ringo H.W. Chiu/Getty Images)
Getty Images
This July 20, 2009 search warrant provided by the Harris County District Clerk allowed authorities access to the offices of Dr. Conrad Murry's in Houston, Texas. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Harris County District Clerk)
AP
This July 22, 2009 search warrant provided by the Harris County District Clerk allowed authorities access to a storage unit rented by Dr. Conrad Murry's in Houston, Texas. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Harris County District Clerk)
AP
FILE- In this July 28,2009 file photo, authorities leave the scene after executing a search warrant at the Red Rock Canyon Country Club residence of Dr. Conrad Murray, in Las Vegas. The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Daniel Gluskoter, File)
AP
FILE - In this July 7, 2006 file photo, Dr. Conrad Murray poses for a photo in Houston. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. Murray, Jackson's personal physician, is the target of a manslaughter probe headed by Los Angeles police. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, File) MANDATORY CREDIT: HOUSTON CHRONICLE
AP
FILE - In this June 25, 2009 file photo, a silver BMW, identified by police as belonging to Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray, is taken from Jackson's rented home, in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson's death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)
AP
Kathy Jorrie, right, an attorney for AEG Live speaks to media after a hearing Friday Aug. 21, 2009 in Los Angeles. A judge approved a deal Friday between Michael Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live to exhibit the King of Pop's memorabilia, over the objections of the singer's mother, Katherine. At left is Shawn Trell, senior vice-president and general counsel for AEG Live. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
AP
Drug Enforcement Agency investigators are seen through a window during a raid at the Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009. Federal drug agents raided this pharmacy Friday as part of the ongoing investigation into Michael Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
AP
Taj Jackson, son of Tito Jackson, leaves court after a hearing Friday Aug. 21, 2009 in Los Angeles. A judge approved a deal Friday between Michael Jackson's estate and concert promoter AEG Live to exhibit the King of Pop's memorabilia, over the objections of the singer's mother and witness Taj Jackson. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
AP
"No," says Dr. Elaina George, an Otolaryngologist out of Atlanta. Dr. George argues that Jackson was not the one to blame for his untimely death. She explains that physicians have an oath to "not do harm" to their patients and that by giving Jackson such a deadly combination of drugs, Dr. Murray violated that oath.
"'Michael Jackson did not have a chance' was my first thought when I read the report that just came out about what caused his untimely and tragic death," says Dr. George, who generally serves as an advocate for other physicians. "I was unprepared for the absolute disregard for the first tenant of the doctors' Hippocratic Oath – 'First do no harm.'"
It is quite possible that Dr. Murray's financial problems may have played a role in his decision to allegedly break the law in treating Jackson. His house was in foreclosure, he was deeply in debt and he'd declared bankruptcy in the past. He'd also accumulated $435,000 in unpaid legal judgments over the last three years. On the outside, Dr. Murray appeared to be successful, but on the inside, he was in as much financial pain as Michael Jackson was in physical pain. In this regard, Dr. Murray was like many other Americans who don't earn enough to keep up with their lavish lifestyles.
There are some who would argue that this entire scenario was driven by addiction: Jackson's addiction to drugs, and Dr. Murray's addiction to money. In the end, Jackson got death and Dr. Murray is going to get prison time. The story ends sadly for everyone.
To hear an audio interview with Dr. Elaina George over the Michael Jackson case, please click the image below.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and founder of YourBlackWorld.com. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.
Comments: (44)
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By: Erinn on 8/25/2009 3:40AM
Well said, Dr. Watkins. Sadly, if Murray was of
the Caucasian persuasion, Michael's death
would've been ruled as "accidental."
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By: Rose on 8/30/2009 11:56PM
I agree, that had Murray been white, He would not be charged with manslaughter. But that doesn't make what he did right. Professionals are held to a higher standard than laymen. We may want the doctor to give us certain pills or things we think we need, but it's up to the doctor to protect us from ourselves, because he has a hippocratic oath to uphold."First do no harm". I believe that the doctor is at fault in this instance.
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By: techtrendsng.com on 8/25/2009 6:37AM
Thanks Dr Watkins for this brief report,this is the only report i hv been able to read,here in Nigeria,we hv different views abt Michaels death,whatever happens,the essence of living is to make impact,and Michael made impart in his life and so no regrets!we all will go by one means or the other.Dr,when are you coming back to Nigeria!
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By: Tensa on 8/25/2009 8:26AM
I dont believe this had anything to do with Dr Murray being black - it's not about the colour of one's skin. There has been too much of this surrounding MJ when he was alive. Now the Dr too? It could be said that the doctors who treated him over the years were white persons, and there came Dr Murray a black person, foolhardy person who went at it too hard. Is that a fair statement?
I do agree about it being a doctor's place to treat patients and 'do no harm'. It would apply to all doctors. I do think that there are more doctors to blame for his treatments BEFORE Dr Murray. How hard was it to treat insomnia.
You know, they sorted out his scalp, his skin, his nose, altered his face,anxieties (insomnia) and pain but not his addictions. Doesn't it make you wonder why. The money, not because he was a black man, white man but for who he was in life, a money machine who knew how to spend and spent big.
Part of me does feel sorry for Dr Murray. His statement reminded when MJ was declaring his innocence. I'm a MJ fan, but it's pity I pity him because he also got caught up in the madness. I don't think he intentionally meant any harm but it's involuntary manslaughter and he happen to be the doctor who got caught because he was the one treating him.
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By: VALERY on 9/05/2009 4:36AM
Its sad to say MICHAEL was his own worst enemy.He was a famous drug addict who took things a little to far and it cost him greatly.Yet,I still believe when its your time to go its no if,ands or buts about it.Dr.Murray should have said no to Michael and to charge him with manslaughter is a bit much.He should however lose his license to practice medicine.
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By: JanieEsq on 8/25/2009 1:34PM
As usual you provide a refreshing and real analysis of contemporary events. I no longer think of the term 'academic activist' as an oxymoron. Thanks for putting critical thinking and analysis on the front burner and keep up the good work!
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By: Fran on 8/25/2009 3:22PM
1.Get Michael hooked up on drugs.
Result: lost of clear thinking and reasoning
2. Make Michael pay to get any kind of sleep
Result: Steady stream of dollars both for the doctor's and the Pharmacy.
3.Give Michael a new face.
Result: Another constant stream of income for touch ups here and there, plus additional drugs.
4. Donate sperm and egg to Michael, with hopes that if he dies, one gets a high percentage of his estate, or some claim to it as a result of being declared the biological father. If nothing else the children may help the biological parent upon turning eighteen.
Result: Make a claim for custody. I heard that Dr. Klein did just this!
5. After years of addiction, and soaking him dry financially, force Michael to seek care from another doctor because one know his living time is short and to take suspicion away from the true cause and creator of his addiction.
Result: Michael was under the care of another doctor (for less than three months). Another and the lastest Doctor becomes the fall guy.
6. It was said that Michael Jackson was worth more dead than alive.
Result: Case Closed
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By: Brenda Fox on 8/28/2009 6:26PM
I agree with you Fran.
There has been a conspiracy against Michael Jackson and as a result he has been murdered via covert action. Justice will not be done…History is repeated…
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By: Brenda Fox on 8/28/2009 6:41PM
I agree. There has been a conspiracy against Michael Jackson and as a result he has been murdered via covert action. Justice will not be done…History is repeated…
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By: Fran on 8/25/2009 3:32PM
It was said that Dr. Klein refused to turn over his medical reports on Michael Jackson. Further, on Larry King yesterday, Dr. Deepok said that Dr. Murray who was on the scene at Michael's death is NOT the doctor who ordered the prescriptions that Dr. Murray administered!
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