Most Popular
-
1
Heavy snow alerts issued in greater Seoul area, Gangwon Province; over 20 cm of snow seen in Seoul
-
2
Seoul blanketed by heaviest Nov. snow, with more expected
-
3
NewJeans to terminate contract with Ador
-
4
Seoul snowfall now third heaviest on record
-
5
Samsung shakes up management, commits to reviving chip business
-
6
Heavy snow of up to 40 cm blankets Seoul for 2nd day
-
7
How $70 funeral wreaths became symbol of protest in S. Korea
-
8
Hybe consolidates chairman Bang Si-hyuk’s regime with leadership changes
-
9
Why cynical, 'memeified' makeovers of kids' characters are so appealing
-
10
BOK makes surprise 2nd rate cut to boost growth
LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Six weeks before Michael Jackson died, his doctor recorded the semi-comatose superstar mumbling what might have been his farewell address to the world.
In a slow, slurred voice, clearly under the influence of sedatives, Jackson spoke about leaving a performance legacy bigger than Elvis or The Beatles, and building a fabulous hospital for children with proceeds from his highly anticipated “This Is It” comeback concerts.
“Elvis didn’t do it. Beatles didn’t do it. We have to be phenomenal,” Jackson is heard saying on the tape.
Jackson, known for donating huge amounts to children’s charities, said his vision was driven by his love of children. In his ramblings, he envisioned the hospital would be big enough to aid a million children, with a movie theater and game room.
“That will be remembered more than my performances,” he says. “My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn’t have a childhood ... I feel their pain. I feel their hurt. I can deal with it.”
The full tape of the May 10, 2009, soliloquy by Jackson was played for the first time Wednesday during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray. A portion of the recording was played last week during the prosecution’s opening statement.
The more than four-minute audio recording was found on Murray’s cell phone by forensic digital expert Stephen Marx. There was no indication why Murray made the recording.
With Murray murmuring agreement, Jackson referred to the children of the world as “angels” and said, “God wants me to do it. I’m gonna do it, Conrad.”
Murray replied, “I know you would.”
And, as he had done long ago with his Neverland ranch, he spoke of a place to raise children’s spirits. “They’re sick because they’re depressed,” he said.
The tape was played by prosecutors to show that Murray knew for weeks how Jackson was reacting to heavy sedatives the doctor was administering to help his patient sleep.
Toward the end of the recording, there is a period of silence before Murray asks, “You OK?”
Eight seconds pass then Jackson mumbles, “I am asleep.”
Marx, an investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration, testified Wednesday that he retrieved another recording from Murray’s phone and other files that showed he was busy emailing, texting and handling messages about insurance for Jackson’s concerts during the time the singer was believed to be under the influence of the powerful anesthetic propofol.
Authorities contend Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of the drug and other sedatives in Jackson’s bedroom on June 25, 2009. Murray’s attorneys say Jackson gave himself the fatal dose.
Prosecutors claim the doctor was too distracted to give his patient adequate care and allowed him to die on his watch.
Murray has pleaded not guilty. He could face up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
In a slow, slurred voice, clearly under the influence of sedatives, Jackson spoke about leaving a performance legacy bigger than Elvis or The Beatles, and building a fabulous hospital for children with proceeds from his highly anticipated “This Is It” comeback concerts.
“Elvis didn’t do it. Beatles didn’t do it. We have to be phenomenal,” Jackson is heard saying on the tape.
Jackson, known for donating huge amounts to children’s charities, said his vision was driven by his love of children. In his ramblings, he envisioned the hospital would be big enough to aid a million children, with a movie theater and game room.
“That will be remembered more than my performances,” he says. “My performances will be up there helping my children and always be my dream. I love them. I love them because I didn’t have a childhood ... I feel their pain. I feel their hurt. I can deal with it.”
The full tape of the May 10, 2009, soliloquy by Jackson was played for the first time Wednesday during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray. A portion of the recording was played last week during the prosecution’s opening statement.
The more than four-minute audio recording was found on Murray’s cell phone by forensic digital expert Stephen Marx. There was no indication why Murray made the recording.
With Murray murmuring agreement, Jackson referred to the children of the world as “angels” and said, “God wants me to do it. I’m gonna do it, Conrad.”
Murray replied, “I know you would.”
And, as he had done long ago with his Neverland ranch, he spoke of a place to raise children’s spirits. “They’re sick because they’re depressed,” he said.
The tape was played by prosecutors to show that Murray knew for weeks how Jackson was reacting to heavy sedatives the doctor was administering to help his patient sleep.
Toward the end of the recording, there is a period of silence before Murray asks, “You OK?”
Eight seconds pass then Jackson mumbles, “I am asleep.”
Marx, an investigator with the Drug Enforcement Administration, testified Wednesday that he retrieved another recording from Murray’s phone and other files that showed he was busy emailing, texting and handling messages about insurance for Jackson’s concerts during the time the singer was believed to be under the influence of the powerful anesthetic propofol.
Authorities contend Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of the drug and other sedatives in Jackson’s bedroom on June 25, 2009. Murray’s attorneys say Jackson gave himself the fatal dose.
Prosecutors claim the doctor was too distracted to give his patient adequate care and allowed him to die on his watch.
Murray has pleaded not guilty. He could face up to four years behind bars and the loss of his medical license if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
