Murray's patients testified for the defense - Day 18 -
Patient # 1
Gerry Causey, longtime friend and patient, said that Murray saved his life. Causey said Murray is "the best doctor" he's ever had.
Causey told jurors he didn't want to be sedated during the operation because he was too scared, so Murray didn't put him under.
He also said Murray took great care in explaining everything he was doing. Causey, said he had appointments in Murray's office that lasted 4 1/2 hours. After each appointment, Murray called his wife to explain what he was going through, Causey recalled.
On cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, Causey said that even if he thought Murray was guilty he equally would have testified in his favor.
Prosecutors made sure to point out -- Murray's treatment was done in a monitored environment with the help of a large staff.
Patient # 2
Andrew Guest said Murray performed 2 different procedures on his heart in 2002 -- telling jurors, "That man sitting there is the best doctor I’ve ever seen."
Guest said Murray often called him on weekends to check up on him.
During cross-examination, lead prosecutor David Walgren asked Guest, "I don't mean to be flip, but he never give you Propofol in your bedroom did he?"
Guest shot back, "I am alive today because of that man."
Patient # 3
Lunette Sampson, who suffered 3 heart attacks in 2008 and 2009, told the jury Murray saved her life, fixing another doctor's botched operation.
During cross examination, Walgren suggested Murray was able to fix Sampson's heart because he had access to her medical records, a privilege Murray never afforded the ER doctors, who scrambled to save Michael Jackson's life.
Patient # 4
Dennis Hix testified Murray placed about 13 stints in his heart for free.
Hix said Murray also operated on his brother's heart free of charge ... telling jurors, "I’m 66. I've gone to a lot of doctors and I’ve never had one who gave me the care he did."
Patient # 5
Roby Mosley said that Murray couldn't have been greedy because he opened up a clinic in one of Houston's poorest neighborhoods in honor of his father.
On cross-examination, Mosley pointed out how Murray was "very detailed." Prosecutors made another important point that Murray was far away detailed when he talked with paramedics and UCLA doctors about his treatment on Michael Jackson saying he did not remember.
The hearing was recessed beforehand today (10:45 AM PDT) due to scheduling issues of which the judge became aware only this morning. Robert Waldman and Paul White, two doctors, were not available to testify. The trial will resume tomorrow, Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 8:45 AM PDT.
MJFS - tmz