The mom of the late icon testifies that concert promoter AEG Live failed to get her son Michael Jackson proper medical attention.
- Jul 20, 2013
AceShowbiz - In her first time to take the stand in son Michael Jackson's wrongful death trial on Friday, July 19, Katherine Jackson testified that concert promoter AEG Live had failed to get the late pop icon proper medical care when he got sick while preparing for his comeback "This Is It" concert tour back in 2009. Mrs. Jackson believed that as a result, the King of Pop died at the untimely age of 50 even before the tour could start.
An emotional Katherine appeared in court as she recounted the sad news of her beloved son's death, her testimony including a recollection of their family's humble beginnings and how Michael showed musical inclinations early on in his life. Mrs. Jackson contended that her iconic son was "being pressured" for his big comeback by AEG Live, who failed to get Michael "another doctor, an outside doctor, not Dr. Murray."
"My son was sick. Nobody said 'Call the doctor. What's wrong with him?' Nobody said that," Katherine said under cross-examination by AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam. In an earlier testimony, "This Is It" director Kenny Ortega said Michael showed up for rehearsals chilling and "incoherent" and "appeared lost, cold, afraid."
AEG Live insisted they did not hire or supervise Dr. Conrad Murray, who had been sentenced to four years of involuntary slaughter for Jackson's untimely death. They also claimed that Michael already had an addiction to prescription pain killers even before he agreed to do the series of London shows with AEG.
After being distressed during the cross-examination, Mrs. Jackson asked for a break in the proceedings. She will return to the stand on Monday, July 22.
