Trial scrutinises Jackson health

28 September 2011 Last updated at 15:49 ET

Michael Jackson was energetic and performing well in the days before he died, a promoter has told the manslaughter trial of Jackson’s doctor.

Promoter Paul Gongaware told the Los Angeles court that Jackson had been “fully engaged” in rehearsals for a forthcoming tour.

Prosecutors say Dr Conrad Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose of a sedative that caused his death in June 2009.

The defence says Jackson gave himself too much of the drug, propofol.

The pop star had been using the drug, which is usually administered intravenously, as a sleeping aid.

Mr Gongaware told the court how Jackson asked him to employ Dr Murray as his doctor.

Mr Gongaware said the doctor initially asked for $5m for a year.

“I told him there’s no way that’s going to happen,” he said, adding that Dr Murray was eventually offered $150,000 a month.

Mr Gongaware also acknowledged that his firm AEG had been sued by Jackson’s mother for negligent supervision of Dr Murray while he worked with Jackson.

Fans of Michael Jackson hold signs outside the Los Angeles courthouse

The second day of the Los Angeles trial heard testimony on the state of Jackson’s health in the weeks and days before his death.

Dr Murray’s lawyer Kathy Jorrie told the court that the doctor had asked for a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) machine and an additional physician to help him care for Jackson in London.

Jackson’s personal assistant Michael Amir Williams, who followed Ms Jorrie to the stand, described the phone call he received from Dr Murray on the day of Jackson’s death.

He also gave details about how he dispatched security guards to the star’s bedroom and followed the ambulance that carried Jackson’s body to the hospital.

On Tuesday, the court heard evidence from Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega, who told of an email he had written expressing “deep concern” over the singer’s health about a week before he died, aged 50.

The trial is expected to last about five weeks.

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