Anesthesiologist Paul White testified for the defense - Day 19 -
Anesthesiologist and Propofol expert Dr. Paul White -- the defense team's final witness -- has altered his original claim that Michael Jackson could have died from ingesting Propofol.
White just testified, claiming his initial theory that swallowing Propofol could have been fatal for Michael Jackson -- a theory he included in a prior report for the defense attorneys -- was just a plausible suggestion, not a foregone conclusion.
During opening statements, the defense argued the The King of Pop may have killed himself by ingesting Propofol, but has since dropped the claim after a study they conducted and revealed during the trial drinking the anesthetic would not be fatal.
Defense attorney J. Michael Flanagan addressed what he called the "elephant in room," asking Dr. White whether he could justify administering Propofol, and then leaving the patient. White answered, "Absolutely not."
White said he wouldn't expect Jackson to have died from the amount of Propofol Murray claims he gave Jackson.
"I was somewhat perplexed at how a determination has been made that Dr. Murray was infusing propofol," White said. "It wasn't obvious to me, I thought there were questions."
White's longtime friendship with Shafer has been tested during the Murray trial, including an incident last week that resulted in the judge scheduling a contempt-of-court hearing against White for next month.
At one point Thursday, White suggested someone "tell Dr. Shafer he needs to learn how to spell plasma," because it was misspelled on a graph he created.
White, however, attempted to downplay rivalry with Shafer when the judge mistakenly called White "Dr. Shafer" for a second time. "I take it as a compliment, actually," White said.
White and Shafer, who are on opposite sides in this trial, may have a new anesthesia product to develop as a result of their preparations to testify, White said.
Both experts commissioned studies on the possibility that Jackson might have orally ingested the fatal dose of propofol, something they both have now ruled out. But they learned that propofol could be absorbed through the tissues of the mouth, White said.
He and Shafer agreed during courthouse chats while waiting to testify that they might be able to develop a propofol lollipop as a "non-invasive sedation device."
Shafer testified last week that he concluded the "only scenario" that fits the scientific evidence is that Jackson was on an IV drip of propofol for three hours before his death and that Murray failed to notice when he stopped breathing.
White's testimony is expected to resume Friday but cross-examination of White will be delayed until Monday to give prosecutors more time to review a new analysis prepared by the defense based on recently-conducted tests on samples taken during Jackson’s autopsy.
“This is the entire crux of the defense case,” Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said in arguing for a delay.
Judge Pastor reluctantly agreed to delay the cross examination and said he is concerned about losing jurors. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor however noted that the panel of has remained rapt throughout the trial.
“Every single member of that jury and all the alternates are paying extraordinary attention to every witness,” Pastor said.
MJFS - tmz - cnn - AP