Michael Jackson Death Photo Shown As Trial Begins In Los Angeles

A photo of Michael Jackson lying dead on a hospital trolley was shown as the trial of his doctor Conrad Murray began in Los Angeles yesterday (September 27).

Members of Jackson's family attended the opening day of the trial at the downtown Criminal Courts Building.

During the prosecution's opening statement,  David Walgren showed a picture of Jackson's body on a hospital stretcher after he died.

An answer phone message left on Dr Murray's phone was also played to the jury, in which Jackson, apparently slurring, said he was eager to play his comeback gigs in London.

Mr Walgren said Dr Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, “repeatedly acted with gross negligence, repeatedly denied appropriate care to his patient, Michael Jackson”.

He added: "That misplaced trust... cost Michael Jackson his life."

Defence attorney Ed Chernoff said it was drugs that Jackson had taken that led to his death in June 2009.

"He did an act without his doctor's knowledge, without his doctor's permission, against his orders, he did an act that caused his own death," Mr Chernoff said.

Jackson's death is centred on the drug propofol, which was discovered in the late singer's body.

The case continues.

Michael Jackson: Trial Photos