Lawyers drop Jackson drug claim

Lawyers for the doctor charged over Michael Jackson’s death have said they are dropping their claim that the singer self-administered a fatal dose of the anaesthetic propofol.

Lawyer J. Michael Flanagan said today that a study commissioned by the defence showed any effect from swallowing propofol would be trivial.

Deputy district attorney David Walgren and Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor appeared surprised by the disclosure, which was not made in front of jurors.

Lead defence attorney Ed Chernoff said during opening statements on September 27 that his team would try to show that Jackson gave himself the fatal dose of propofol.

Dr Conrad Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.