Jackson's fans said thanks to Thursday's witness, who defended the star in court. Nurse and holistic health practitioner Cherilyn Lee told the jury that Jackson was not a doctor shopper and that he simply was seeking the best doctors. She said he was on board with her plan for organic treatments to help him sleep.
Yet Lee testified that after 20 visits to Jackson's house as rehearsals were beginning for his comeback concerts, the star's request changed. He wanted an anesthesiologist to give him propofol.
She recalled that he said, "You don't understand, I need something that will knock me out as soon as it dripped in my veins." She said it happened on April 19. She witnessed Jackson waking up at 4 a.m. She said he stood on his bed declaring, "I told you I cannot sleep all night."
She testified he was frantic. He said, "This is not going to be a good rehearsal day." That was the last time Jackson invited Lee to his home for an insomnia treatment.
The AEG defense says the incident fits a pattern.
"Michael Jackson befriends people, it goes well, and then when he asks them for something that they refuse to give him, he immediately cuts them out of his life," said defense attorney Marvin Putnam.
According to court evidence, Dr. Conrad Murray was already in place to deliver what Jackson demanded. He had ordered supplies of propofol even as Lee was giving Jackson vitamins.
Attorneys for Katherine Jackson claim in their lawsuit that Jackson demanded the anesthetic only because his concert promoters at AEG were pushing him.
"I think that the evidence supports that he tried to do the right thing, that he was continuing to be pressured, and he was in a tough situation. AEG knew he had a financial problem. They took advantage of that. They pressured him to come to rehearsals," said Jackson attorney Brian Panish.
Jackson died from propofol intoxication while under the care of Murray. The physician was allegedly selected by Jackson but to be paid by AEG.
Lee testified that she had told Jackson that propofol was not safe to be administered at home. He was insistent that it could be done under a doctor's care.
The trial goes on break for the Labor Day weekend. When jurors return on Tuesday, they will hear new testimony from different doctors.
