Michael Jackson was found dead in the home, but was transported four miles to Westwood's UCLA, where he was officially pronounced dead by medical staff at the hospital. Jackson had been living in Holmby Hills for months along with his three children, Paris, Prince and Blanket, while preparing for the London concert series that was titled “This is It.” Dr. Murray was hired to be Jackson’s personal physician during rehearsals for the upcoming concerts.

On Tuesday, September 27, the prosecution opened its case for involuntary manslaughter, a charge leveled against Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray. Murray is accused by the prosecutors and the state of causing the death of Michael Jackson by negligence, in his handling of Jackson and drug treatment leading up to his tragic death.

Prosecutor David Walgren offered an argument in opening and throughout the first few days of direct testimony from Jackson’s personal chef, his personal assistant and bodyguard Alvarez. Some seasoned court observers have called the testimony chilling and shocking. Former Los Angeles County prosecutor, author and famed attorney Robin Sax, who now has a practice in Century City, spoke with San Francisco News about the case. After Sax’s appearance on CNN and “Entertainment Tonight,” Sax took note of Alvarez’s direct testimony and of the cross examination by Murray’s defense attorney. “Mr. Alvarez was strong and was very effective up against tough cross examination from the defense. In fact, I tweeted this comment during the cross examination, that Chernoff is coming off has a liar as Alvarez keeps correcting him. My take? I think he made Mr. Chernoff appear to be either ill -informed (which he is not) or just overly aggressive,” said Sax.

Prosecutor Walgren has been methodical with his presentation thus far. And although the defense has not had their opportunity to offer their own evidence and testimony. most of the state’s witnesses have, as Robin Sax has stated, been strong, even under blistering cross examination. Sax, who has been in the same courtroom many times on behalf of the State of California, considered Walgren’s style and tactics. “The prosecution has remained laser focused. The key to winning this case, and why in my opinion prosecutors in the Casey Anthony trial failed. They did not. So far so good, for David (Walgren),” said the former prosecutor. “Opening statements were very strong, actually on both sides. I’d have to give prosecutors the upper hand because of one piece of evidence. The voice of Michael Jackson! When they played the voice recording found on Conrad Murray’s iPhone, it was the closest thing to having Jackson in the courtroom, his obviously slurred and intoxicated voice had to leave a mark on everyone.”

The prosecution stunned the courtroom and the public when it showed the lifeless body of Michael Jackson at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on the day of his death. Sisters Janet and LaToya Jackson, and mother Katherine Jackson were seen on the second row, crying and wiping away tears as they shook their heads in sorrow after seeing Michael’s dead body. 58-year-old Conrad Murray faces up to four years in prison, a fine and the loss of his medical license, if convicted. Attorney Robin Sax said the most shocking testimony in the case was on Wednesday. “ Jackson's personal assistant (Faheem Muhammed), who described those frantic moments inside Michael's inner sanctum, Jackson’s lifeless body, (Murray’s) frantic and sweaty attempts at CPR, and the Jackson children, (Paris) curled up in a ball crying and (Prince) standing in profound and stunned silence was truly gripping,” concluded Robin Sax.

A man who wanted to be called Jerry, who flew in from Texas to attend the trial and to offer his support of his friend and physician Dr. Conrad Murray, told Canyon News, “Dr. Murray did not kill Michael Jackson. Hollywood did it. Look at all the doctors here that have been giving him pills for years, long before Dr. Murray ever arrived in California to care for Michael. He [Dr. Murray] is being mistreated and I am here to show support for an innocent man.”

Photograph Courtesy: Link 81 Collection