Justice for Michael Jackson's Death - Only Part of the Story

Justice was served yesterday as Conrad Murray was convicted in the death of Michael Jackson. But, does anyone other than the Jackson family really feel relief or satisfaction from the jury's verdict? My guess is not really. This American Icon had long ago lost his status in my eyes and the eyes of millions. Afterall, what feelings do you expect him to engender after being accused of child molestation multiple times and being a prescription drug addict?

Years ago, I worked for a law firm in Los Angeles that represented "The King of Pop." I never met Michael in person as those meetings were usually held in secret, somewhere other than the firm, many times at Elizabeth Taylor's home, who happened to be another client of our firm. Word has it, that the one time he did come to our office, the paparazzi swarmed him in the elevator and security had to be called to control the crazy scene. The partner in charge never made that mistake of having him come to our office again.

Michael became a client at the request and favor of Elizabeth. This was when Michael had been accused of child molestation for the first time and very few attorneys wanted to represent him. You can draw your own conclusions as to why. As a favor to Elizabeth, the firm represented Michael and, as you all know, the matter went away after money was paid to the accuser. New accusations surfaced and years later Michael was tried and acquitted in a criminal case.

To say Michael was eccentric would be an understatement. We all know about Neverland Ranch and his old monkey Bubbles. A few of my friends (boys and girls) from Los Angeles were invited as children to play at the Ranch. They have nothing but fun memories -- but then again, they did not sleep over either. Afterall, what kid growing up in the late 80's early 90's wouldn't have fun being invited to Michael Jackson's house and having free roam at his amusement park? 

Not only was Michael eccentric, he lived much like New York Yankee great Mickey Mantle did -- that is to say, everything to excess. Michael always needed another plastic surgery, another painting for his house and, unfortunately, another drug to make him sleep. 

Michael, like many fading celebrities who hedonistically indulged too much in everything, lived his final years in extreme debt. His expenses paid on the "credit" that his tarnished, yet still marque-worthy name carried. Conrad Murray was just one of a myriad of lackeys and hanger-ons that were mesmerized by the celebrity that was Michael Jackson. Dr. Murray would do whatever it took to satisfy the almighty Michael who was benevolent enough to allow Murray to work for him and be around him, most likely for little to no pay. 

In return, Michael knew how Murray and others that worked for him would be loyal and extremely protective of him. Afterall, who would want to fall from out of the King of Pop's grace and inner circle once you are in? 

The quid pro quo deal-with-the-devil that Murray made was this: in exchange for disregarding your Hippocratic Oath, you will indulge Michael's every whim for whatever prescription medication Michael requests. Trust me from experience, this is not an aberration in Hollywood. Many doctors have "sold out" their oath to "do no harm" by prescribing whatever drugs their big-name client requests, in exchange for being "friends" with their celebrity clients. The doctors get the rush and prestige associated with hob-knobbing with the celebrity and the ability to tell others that they treat so-and-so celebrity. 

When doctors do stand their ground and refuse to prescribe medications that a celebrity specifically requests, many celebrities simply go to other doctors whom they know will willingly give them what they want. It is quite the normal practice in celebrity-central L.A. and I have seen it with my own eyes. Furthermore, celebrities routinely use an alias when getting prescriptions so even when the above-board doctors want to honor their Hippocratic Oath, the client many times is able to circumvent and manipulate the doctors and pharmacies so that no one actually knows all the medications they are taking. In turn, the celebrity gets access to multiple, varied medications that they ingest causing adverse reactions.

So, while there is no doubt Dr. Murray got what he deserved for his actions and the world is better that he is not allowed to practice medicine anymore, let's not forget that there was a willing accomplice in Michael Jackson's death -- Michael himself, who ended up paying the ultimate price. Michael had to know he was a prescription drug addict. No one who is being hooked up to an IV to go to sleep can say otherwise. 

In the end, the man who was arguably the world's biggest celebrity died and his doctor went to jail. Sad all around, but there is a bigger story here about the prescription drug culture in Hollywood. And before, we lionize Michael, let's not forget he was not a saint; far from it. He was a flawed, tragic figure that died, in part, due to his own excess.