Jackson’s physician in limbo

The media hordes have abandoned their posts at Red Rock Country Club, the investigators have carted off their evidence and the television pundits have had their say.

And all Dr. Conrad Murray can do is lie low and wait as the investigation into Michael Jackson's death drags on, local legal observers said.

Veteran Las Vegas defense lawyer John Momot said waiting for a criminal investigation to end is the worst time for those in the cross hairs.

"You're always walking around waiting for the other shoe to drop," said Momot, who has defended mob figures and Ted Binion murder defendant Sandy Murphy.

If Momot were Murray's attorney, he would tell him not to speak about his case, no matter how much he's being tried in the media.

In the meantime, Momot said he would work behind the scenes, gathering his own evidence, talking to his own experts and conducting his own investigation into the pop star's death. Momot said he also would tell his client to gather the property or cash he might need to post bail after an arrest.

"Usually, the time you find out about the arrest warrant is the time they're putting bracelets on your wrists," he said.

The 56-year-old Murray has been at the center of the Jackson death investigation since the music icon died June 25 at a Los Angeles home.

Months behind on his mortgage and besieged by civil judgments and lawsuits for hundreds of thousands of dollars in business debts, Murray accepted a job in May as Jackson's personal doctor. For $150,000 a month, the cardiologist agreed to treat Jackson during his upcoming London concert series.

Murray told investigators he administered the anesthetic propofol to Jackson the night before he died to help him sleep, said a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

The official said investigators were working under the theory that propofol caused Jackson's heart to stop.

Murray's lawyer, Houston-based Edward Chernoff, has urged patience during the investigation.

"Everyone needs to take a breath and wait for these long delayed toxicology results," Chernoff said in a statement. "I have no doubt they want to make a case -- for goodness sakes, it's Michael Jackson! But things tend to shake out when all the facts are made known, and I'm sure that will happen here as well."

Last week, the investigation reached Las Vegas as federal drug enforcement agents and Los Angeles police searched Murray's home in Summerlin and his medical office on Flamingo Road.

They carted away copies of computer storage drives, medical files and other evidence that might shed light on his treatment of Jackson.

The warrants listed manslaughter and prescribing to an addict as possible crimes.

Murray was at his home during the search, and his lawyer has suggested it might be the only place he can feel safe.

"Dr. Murray is frustrated by negative and often erroneous media reports," Chernoff said. "He has to walk around 24-7 with a bodyguard. He can't operate his practice. He can't go to work because he is harassed no matter where he goes."

Robert Langford, a veteran local lawyer who has defended high-profile clients such as NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones, said Murray is a victim of Jackson's fame.

"People are looking for a scapegoat," Langford said.

Too little is known about Jackson's death, so it's too early to lay blame, he said.

Other doctors might have been involved with his treatment or given him medications, and Murray might not have had full knowledge of what Jackson was taking or what had been given to Jackson by those around him, Langford said.

If criminal charges are filed in the case, Murray and his lawyers probably would try to arrange for his surrender, said Charles Kelly, a defense lawyer and former U.S. prosecutor.

They can point to his cooperation with investigators and his community ties, but that doesn't mean Murray won't be hauled away in handcuffs, Kelly said.

"A lot of times the police want to make a big show and make an arrest," he said.

If Murray is arrested in Las Vegas, he probably wouldn't fight extradition to California, Langford said.

Doing so would only anger prosecutors, who would in turn demand higher bail, he said. Also, defendants don't get credit for time served while fighting extradition, he said.

Murray's lawyers could argue for his release by pointing out his cooperation during the investigation.

Momot said the biggest challenge for Murray's legal team would come at trial, when it is faced with overcoming his label as the man who killed a world icon.

"Michael Jackson is a star of stars. He's one of a kind," Momot said. "You're going to have to overcome a lot of backlash."

That could be years away, if ever.

Meanwhile, Murray's lawyer will work as carefully and steadily as a heart surgeon operating on a patient, Momot said.

"He doesn't want to lose his client on the table," he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Contact reporter Brian Haynes at bhaynes@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0281.