Filed under: Celebrity News, Dr. Boyce Money
I was as shocked as anyone to see that Michael Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide by the coroner. While we all figured out that the drugs killed him, an accidental overdose is certainly not the same as negligence on the part of a physician. It turns out that Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s physician, may have displayed a deadly combination of both unethical behavior and serious incompetence. At least that’s how things are shaping up.
There is the broader issue of money. We all know that Michael Jackson paid Dr. Murray $150,000 per month to get him the drugs he needed. That’s a lot of money to turn down, so even if we are disgusted by what Murray did, most of us can understand the temptation. There is also the added fact that Michael Jackson, a larger than life celebrity, is begging you for drugs that are available with the stroke of a pen. That would make anyone do a double-take.
There is a clear risk/return trade-off here, in which Murray was being asked to do something illegal in exchange for a great deal of money. Some of us can understand how a doctor with money problems might be tempted to take some extra cash to give away access to his stash of dope. After all, Jackson was the one asking for the drugs, so should he be held responsible for any of these outcomes?
The Jackson Investigation
Josh Madden (C) poses with Dee and Ricky at the “Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite 1” album release party at The Eldridge on August 25, 2009 in New York City. “Michael Jackson: The Remix Suite 1” Album Release Party The Eldridge New York, NY United States August 25, 2009 Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com To license this image (58175439), contact WireImage.com
Johnny Nunez/WireImage.com
LOS ANGELES – JUNE 25: (FILE PHOTO) Media and fans gather outside the home of pop star Michael Jackson on the 100 block of Carolwood Drive after his death on June 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. According to Reports, after almost two months, The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled the death of Michael Jackson as a homicide due to a fatal combination of drugs. (Photo by Ringo H.W. Chiu/Getty Images)
Getty Images
This July 20, 2009 search warrant provided by the Harris County District Clerk allowed authorities access to the offices of Dr. Conrad Murry’s in Houston, Texas. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Harris County District Clerk)
AP
This July 22, 2009 search warrant provided by the Harris County District Clerk allowed authorities access to a storage unit rented by Dr. Conrad Murry’s in Houston, Texas. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Harris County District Clerk)
AP
FILE- In this July 28,2009 file photo, authorities leave the scene after executing a search warrant at the Red Rock Canyon Country Club residence of Dr. Conrad Murray, in Las Vegas. The Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Daniel Gluskoter, File)
AP
FILE – In this July 7, 2006 file photo, Dr. Conrad Murray poses for a photo in Houston. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press on Monday, Aug. 24, 2009, that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. Murray, Jackson’s personal physician, is the target of a manslaughter probe headed by Los Angeles police. (AP Photo/Houston Chronicle, File) MANDATORY CREDIT: HOUSTON CHRONICLE
AP
FILE – In this June 25, 2009 file photo, a silver BMW, identified by police as belonging to Michael Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray, is taken from Jackson’s rented home, in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide. The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the Murray who was with the pop star when he died. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, file)
AP
Kathy Jorrie, right, an attorney for AEG Live speaks to media after a hearing Friday Aug. 21, 2009 in Los Angeles. A judge approved a deal Friday between Michael Jackson’s estate and concert promoter AEG Live to exhibit the King of Pop’s memorabilia, over the objections of the singer’s mother, Katherine. At left is Shawn Trell, senior vice-president and general counsel for AEG Live. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
AP
Drug Enforcement Agency investigators are seen through a window during a raid at the Mickey Fine Pharmacy in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009. Federal drug agents raided this pharmacy Friday as part of the ongoing investigation into Michael Jackson’s death. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
AP
Taj Jackson, son of Tito Jackson, leaves court after a hearing Friday Aug. 21, 2009 in Los Angeles. A judge approved a deal Friday between Michael Jackson’s estate and concert promoter AEG Live to exhibit the King of Pop’s memorabilia, over the objections of the singer’s mother and witness Taj Jackson. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
AP
“No,” says Dr. Elaina George, an Otolaryngologist out of Atlanta. Dr. George argues that Jackson was not the one to blame for his untimely death. She explains that physicians have an oath to “not do harm” to their patients and that by giving Jackson such a deadly combination of drugs, Dr. Murray violated that oath.
“‘Michael Jackson did not have a chance’ was my first thought when I read the report that just came out about what caused his untimely and tragic death,” says Dr. George, who generally serves as an advocate for other physicians. “I was unprepared for the absolute disregard for the first tenant of the doctors’ Hippocratic Oath – ‘First do no harm.’”
It is quite possible that Dr. Murray’s financial problems may have played a role in his decision to allegedly break the law in treating Jackson. His house was in foreclosure, he was deeply in debt and he’d declared bankruptcy in the past. He’d also accumulated $435,000 in unpaid legal judgments over the last three years. On the outside, Dr. Murray appeared to be successful, but on the inside, he was in as much financial pain as Michael Jackson was in physical pain. In this regard, Dr. Murray was like many other Americans who don’t earn enough to keep up with their lavish lifestyles.
There are some who would argue that this entire scenario was driven by addiction: Jackson’s addiction to drugs, and Dr. Murray’s addiction to money. In the end, Jackson got death and Dr. Murray is going to get prison time. The story ends sadly for everyone.
To hear an audio interview with Dr. Elaina George over the Michael Jackson case, please click the image below.
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Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and founder of YourBlackWorld.com. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered directly to your email, please click here.
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