Keeping tabs on Michael Jackson doctor’s trial

As a Michael Jackson diehard, I just can’t sit still and watch the trial for involuntary manslaughter of MJ’s doctor Conrad Murray drag on and on.  The defense panel should stop muddling the issue with timeline concerns. Those are all moot and academic. If not for Murray’s negligence, MJ would still be alive today. He ought to be charged with murder instead.

One need not be a Michael Jackson fanatic to sense that there was something really alarming about the way the King of Pop died (of Propofol overdose). On the eve of his death (June 25, 2009), MJ was in his element while rehearsing for his comeback tour, “This is It.” He was raring to perform for his legions of fans worldwide so there was no way he could have killed himself (as some reports suggested).

Let’s set aside all the legalese and get to the heart of the matter.  In MJ’s desire to keep on entertaining his fans, he needed medication to keep him going. Too bad, his doctor did not administer those meds properly. It’s bad enough that we can no longer bring MJ back to life. The least that Murray could do is own up to his mistakes to somehow ease the pain that all MJ fans feel. No amount of Propofol can ever take away our pain.

Celebs who are also MJ supporters like me express their sentiments about the ongoing trial. Special thanks to MJ’s vocal coach and “This is It” backup vocalist, Dorian Holley, for sharing his views as well.

DORIAN HOLLEY (sent via Facebook): “I am not watching the trial because I don’t want to see Michael’s name dragged through the mud. In my heart I would like to remember him as I knew him—a warm, kind, caring, amazingly artistic human being. I don’t want to know about his faults and I don’t want to know about anything he never spoke about. His private life was his own business unless he saw fit to reach out about it. Most of all, I don’t want to hear made-up conjecture intended to protect others. Trials can often be like the zoo and I don’t want my memory of Michael Jackson spoiled by looking at him through a cage.”

AMY PEREZ: “My blood boils every time I see Doc Murray on TV. I was tremendously bothered when I heard a voice recording of MJ when he seemed so high with all those medicines. It made me wonder where his family was and why nobody was taking good care of him.  My heart goes out to him and it really saddens me when I remember how he died.”

OGIE ALCASID: “The guilty must be punished. MJ’s contributions to his family, his billions of fans and the entire music world are priceless. It would be a shame if the case would not be solved and this should not be put to rest. Then again, God is the ultimate judge. What we don’t see, He sees.”

JIM PAREDES: “When I saw MJ on ‘This is It,’ I could not imagine how he could die so soon after. He was certainly strong and keen on touring. His relationship with his doctor was not healthy. They were both addicted to each other in a symbiotic way. The doc may have overdosed him. MJ’s death is such a great loss. He still had a lot to give. People really need to know what actually happened and I hope the trial uncovers that.”

MEDWIN MARFIL (TRUE FAITH): “It is a common incidence in show biz that wealthy and talented personalities are being taken advantage of by the hangers-on in their own circle. Unfortunately, MJ was no exception. Conrad Murray is a classic case of someone who understands the weaknesses and insecurities of celebrities and feeds off their vulnerabilities. He should be thoroughly investigated.”

JED MADELA: “MJ is a big loss not just to the music industry but to the world. It’s just sad to find out that the very people he entrusted his life to were the ones who abused him. All fingers point to Doc Murray. If proven guilty, he should pay for the crime he has committed. Justice should be served. Long live the King of Pop!”

DENNIS GARCIA (formerly of Hotdog): “Murray acted like a quack doctor when he left MJ all alone. It is carved in stone that a medical practitioner should stand watch—without exception—over a patient who has been administered anaesthesia. He robbed the world of a unique genius and should be punished.”

LUKE MEJARES: “I wanna smash Doc Murray’s face when I see him on TV. He is liable talaga because he was not supposed to give that kind of sedative to any patient outside of a hospital because it’s only used for surgery since sobrang lakas ng pain-killer na yun.”

DINGDONG AVANZADO: “I am deeply saddened for losing an icon. I definitely think that Murray should be made accountable for what he did to MJ should he be found guilty.”

JON AVILA: “All the evidence says Murray did it so I don’t know why the trial is ongoing. I wanna see justice for poor MJ.”

OPM assembly

The Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) is set to convene this year’s biggest assembly of singers and music artists for the OPM Fair 2011 to be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle on October 11. Themed “Ang Himig Natin Noon at Ngayon,” the day-long event that features a music trade fair is free and open to the general public.

Log on to opm.org.ph or call 576-5069.

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