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Tour Exec Confronted Doc About 'Incoherent' Jackson

But Murray said to leave the doctoring to him, says Kenny Ortega

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 28, 2011 8:56 AM CDT

(Newser) – From Dr. Conrad Murray’s trial for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson, more sad details about the King of Pop’s last days. Kenny Ortega, the choreographer for Jackson’s “This Is It” tour, testified yesterday that he confronted Murray just days before Jackson’s death, airing his concerns that the star was incoherent and couldn’t rehearse. He also emailed the concert promoter to recommend that Jackson be psychologically evaluated, and complained that no one was “taking responsibility” or caring for Jackson, ABC News reports.

But at an emergency meeting called to discuss the problems, all Murray had to say to Ortega was that he “should stop trying to be an amateur doctor and psychologist and be the director and allow Michael's health to him,” Ortega testified. In addition to the recording of a drugged Jackson slurring his way through a voicemail left for Murray, prosecutors also showed the courtroom grisly Jackson death photos. But Murray’s attorney argued that Jackson gave himself the lethal overdose as Murray was trying to wean him off the drug, and that the star “died so rapidly, so instantly, he didn't even have time to close his eyes." The emotional testimony left both Murray and Jackson’s family in tears, the Los Angeles Times reports.

A slide of a bathroom in Michael Jackson's home is shown during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court, Sept. 27, 2011.
A slide of a bathroom in Michael Jackson's home is shown during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray in downtown Los Angeles Superior Court, Sept. 27, 2011.   (AP Photo/Pool)
A slide of the bed where Michael Jackson died is shown during the Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter trial at Superior Court, Sept. 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. WARNING: NEXT TWO PHOTOS ARE GRAPHIC.
A slide of the bed where Michael Jackson died is shown during the Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter trial at Superior Court, Sept. 27, 2011 in Los Angeles. WARNING: NEXT TWO PHOTOS ARE GRAPHIC.   (AP Photo/Pool)
Prosecution exhibit photo projected on the screen in the Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter trial shows the body of Michael Jackson lying dead on a gurney during opening arguments in Los Angeles.
Prosecution exhibit photo projected on the screen in the Conrad Murray involuntary manslaughter trial shows the body of Michael Jackson lying dead on a gurney during opening arguments in Los Angeles.   (Getty Images)
Prosecution exhibit is projected on screen during opening arguments in the Conrad Murray trial,  shows two images of Michael Jackson , one dancing on June 24, 2009 and one on a gurney June 25, 2009.
Prosecution exhibit is projected on screen during opening arguments in the Conrad Murray trial, shows two images of Michael Jackson , one dancing on June 24, 2009 and one on a gurney June 25, 2009.   (AP Photo/ Pool)
Dr. Conrad Murray wipes a tear during the defense opening arguments in his involuntary manslaughter trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court on September 27, 2011 in downtown Los Angeles, California.
Dr. Conrad Murray wipes a tear during the defense opening arguments in his involuntary manslaughter trial at the Los Angeles Superior Court on September 27, 2011 in downtown Los Angeles, California.   (Getty Images)
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