Court hears doctor’s care was ‘not up to standard’

An expert anaesthetist giving evidence for the doctor accused of killing Michael Jackson admitted yesterday that the music star’s medical care was not up to standard.

Dr Paul White was repeatedly cross-examined about the ways in which Dr Conrad Murray had broken guidelines and rules in his treatment of Jackson.

Dr White said that the type of pulse monitor that Dr Murray was using on Jackson’s finger was inadequate to properly monitor the singer when the physician left the room.

Dr Murray, who denies involuntary manslaughter, has acknowledged he was giving Jackson doses of the anaesthetic propofol in the singer’s bedroom as a sleep aid. He told police that he left Jackson’s room for two minutes on 25 June, 2009, and returned to find the pop superstar unresponsive.

Dr White also said he would not leave the room if he were treating a patient who had indicated he liked to inject propofol into himself, as Dr Murray claims that Jackson had told him.

Deputy district attorney David Walgren questioned Dr White, a retired professor and clinical researcher, about the circumstances of Dr Murray’s care based on his interview with police two days after Jackson’s death.

The trial continues.