Paramedics, who rushed to Michael Jackson's rented mansion the day the singer died, say they arrived within five minutes of being called but that Jackson seemed to have been dead for some time. They also say his doctor, who was at the home, was "frantic."
The testimony came Friday in Los Angeles during the involuntary manslaughter trial of Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray. One of the paramedics who tried to revive Jackson, Richard Senneff, said paramedics were optimistic Jackson might live because they arrived so quickly. But Senneff said they soon saw that Jackson was unresponsive. Paramedics spent about 42 minutes trying to revive the singer before taking him to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
According to the paramedic, Murray said he had given Jackson a sedative, lorazepam, to help him sleep. The paramedic testified that Murray said Jackson was being treated for dehydration and exhaustion and he never disclosed administering the powerful anesthetic propofol to Jackson. Murray had been giving Jackson propofol to help him sleep, although the drug is not approved for use as a sleep aid.
Prosecutors have said Murray gave Jackson a lethal dose and lacked the equipment that could have saved the life of the 50-year-old singer, who was known as the "King of Pop." Murray's defense team says the singer's own actions led to his death, arguing that Jackson took the propofol himself and overdosed, dying so quickly, "he did not even have time to close his eyes."
Murray, a cardiologist, faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if convicted.
Michael Jackson died suddenly at his mansion June 25, 2009.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
