Anesthesiologist: Drinking Propofol Not Fatal [Updated]

In day 14 of the Conrad Murray trial, a key witness from the prosecution disputed the defense's argument that Michael Jackson took eight tablets of the sedative lorazepam while the doctor was out of the room.

In his testimony, Dr. Steven Shafer explained to the seven-man, five-women jury that Jackson's personal physician was a "direct cause" of the pop star's death.

"...You concluded that Conrad Murray was not only a substantial factor but a direct cause of Michael Jackson's death?" Deputy District Attorey David Walgren asked the prosecution's final witness.

"Yes," responded the anesthesiologist.

Shafer also reviewed findings from a new study that analyzed the contents of Jackson's stomach. He testified the defense's study disproves the suggestion that the King of Pop orally ingested lorazepam tablets between 8 a.m. and noon on the day of his death.

But Shafer said the defense's study does not separate lorazepam and a metabolite that is created in the liver, determining how much of the sedative was consumed. However the he testified he believed the "true amount of lorazepam is much, much smaller."

The prosecution set to disprove the defense's main argument. The defense argues that Jackson self-administered the propofol after Murray left the room.

However, the anesthesiologist testified that to self-inject propofol, one would have to inject the needle into a vein or find an injection port and attach the needle, actions that require a bit of time and coordination. He also discredited the possibility that Jackson may have orally consumed the propofol that caused his death because the sedative is quickly broken down in the liver when it is taken orally.

Shafer also testified that even if it was possible for Jackson to administer the sedatives himself, Murray is still responsible for his death. 

The defense had previously suggested that the 50-year-old singer could have died by drinking propofol. Although they changed their defense saying they would no longer try to contend that Jackson drank the medication.

The 58-year-old cardiologist is chargerd with a felony count of involuntary manslaughter in connection to the death of Jackson on June 25, 2009 from a Propofol overdose.

The defense says Murray only left Jackson for two minutes to go to the bathroom. They say Murray was trying to ween Jackson off the drug that he was using to combat the singer's insomnia.

The defense is set to begin cross-examination on Friday and then begin presenting its portion of the case. Defense attorneys are expected to call 15 witnesses.

RELATED:

Jurors in Conrad Murray Trial Get Crash Course on Propofol

Prosecution's Case Against Murray Nears Conclusion

Murray Defense Team Drops Claim That Jackson Drank Propofol