Jackson 'committed suicide'

Defence lawyer's claims at Conrad Murray's trial...

08:48 08 April 2011

The lawyer representing Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, has claimed that the star committed suicide because of financial worries.

Defence lawyer Edward Chernoff is representing Murray, who is to stand trial charged with involuntary manslaughter over the singer's death.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Statements made by Chernoff at the pre-trial hearing on 6 April, have prompted the defence to request Jackson's financial records.

This request has since been rejected.

He told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor:

"The crux of the defence is going to be that Michael Jackson engaged in a desperate act and took desperate measures that caused his death.

"We believe at the time Michael Jackson died he was a desperate man in relation to his financial affairs."

Deputy district attorney David Walgren, however, said the defence were attempting to distract the jury from the main argument, which is deciding whether Murray acted negligently when he injected Jackson with sedatives.

Opening statements for the case are set to be heard on 9 May 2011.