Conrad Murray: Defense Begins Questioning Expert Witness

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Reuters

Dr. Conrad Murray’s defense lawyers began questioning the expert witness who has spent the past several days in testimony, describing technically how an overdose of the drug propofol killed Michael Jackson, and how Murray was criminally negligent in his duties as the pop star’s physician.

Dr. Steven Shafer, who teaches anesthesiology at Columbia University, began undergoing cross examination from the defense, which is scrutinizing his testimony to the jury. Through a series of presentations and videos as well as questioning, he said that he believes Murray was responsible  for Jackson’s death.

The defense questioned his testimony, hoping to show that Shafer’s inferences were professional opinions of what Murray’s mistakes were, but not necessarily the facts surrounding the circumstances of Jackson’s death.

Murray has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and faces up to four years in jail and loss of his medical license if convicted.

After Shafer’s testimony ends, the defense is expected to call its own series of witnesses, including Dr. Paul White, another leading anesthesiologist and associate of Shafer.

MORE: Full Coverage of the Conrad Murray Trial

Madison Gray is Homepage Producer at TIME.com. Find him on Twitter at @madisonjgray. You can also continue the discussion on TIME’s Facebook page and on Twitter at @TIME.