Michael Jackson Death Trial: Dr Conrad Murray Drops Propofol Claim

The defence in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor have dropped a claim that the singer swallowed a fatal dose of the powerful anaesthetic, propofol.

Dr Conrad Murray's attorneys had suggested the singer died in June 2009 by either swallowing or self-administering the drug when his physician was out of the room.

But attorney J. Michael Flanagan told the judge on Wednesday (October 12): "We are not going to assert at any point in time in this trial that Michael Jackson orally ingested propofol.”

It followed medical studies that indicated that the drug had no major effects on somebody when swalled, reports Reuters.

Dr Murray has denied a charge of involuntary manslaughter but admitted giving Jackson a small dose of propofol as a sleep aid on the day that he died.

If found guilty, he faces up to four years in prison.

Michael Jackson Trial In Photos