Battle of The Experts

Doctor Defends Propofol at Conrad Murray Trial

Expert says sedative that killed Michael Jackson is fine when used properly

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By MATTHEW PERPETUA

OCTOBER 19, 2011 4:20 PM ET

Dr. Conrad Murray sits at the defense table with attorney J. Michael Flanagan

Mario Anzuoni-Pool/Getty Images

Authority on the drug propofol, testified at the trial of Michael Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, today. Dr. Steven Shafer, a leading researcher on the use of the sedative, claimed that the drug has developed a bad reputation since it was connected to the pop star's death in 2009. According to Shafer, propofol is an "outstanding drug" when administered properly and not used as a sleep aid, as Jackson had used it under the care of Murray.

Dr. Shafer is expected to be the final witness called by the prosecution in the trial. According to Shafer, he testified without being paid out of a desire to restore patients' faith in the drug. "I am asked every day I'm in the operating room – I tell patients what I'm going to do and I am asked the question, 'Are you going to give me the drug that killed Michael Jackson?'," he told jurors this morning.

My Two Cents: It seems now that Dr Steven Schafer has successfully refuted the defenses, “MJ may have swallowed propofol when Murray wasn't looking", theory by showing clinical evidence that the liver eliminates over 99 percent of the drug before it can get into the bloodstream, and (bio-availability is 0.25 percent).

The only reasonable chance this would seem to leave the defense is to put the question, “did MJ push more propofol to himself when Murray was out of the room?" One problem though, they have argued that there was no propofol infusion, (drip). What now? Punt?

Dr Shafer is a very interesting, credible, and compelling witness. I found the statement he made, (his reason for testifying), that he wants to stem the questions he constantly gets in the O.R., as a practicing anesthesiologist, " Are you going to give me the drug that killed Michael Jackson?" particularly interesting as I just happen to be scheduled for a colonoscopy with general anesthesia, tomorrow morning! And I just know they are going to give me propofol because they explained to me I would be asleep fast and it would I would have very little lingering effect, if any at all. As the doctor spoke, I could not help putting 2 and 2 together in my mind as I realized it.