Dr. Conrad Murray ordered drugs to be cleared

Michael Jackson's bodyguard has testified that Dr. Conrad Murray ordered him to clean up medical paraphernalia just after he died.

Alberto Alvarez made the claim at a preliminary hearing for Dr. Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter of the 'Thriller' singer following his death from an overdose of the anaesthetic Propofol in June 2009.

Speaking at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Alberto said the physician told him Michael had a "bad reaction" to some medication.

Explaining Dr. Murray was giving Michael open-mouthed chest compressions to try to revive him, he added: "I said, 'Dr. Murray, what happened?' And he said, 'He had a reaction. He had a bad reaction.' "

He obeyed instructions to clear up medicine bottles and intravenous bags before being instructed to call emergency services.

Also speaking at the courthouse yesterday (05.01.11) was paramedic Richard Senneff, who claimed he was not told Michael had been administered with Propofol when he arrived at his rented Los Angeles mansion to treat him.

He added the pop legend was dressed in scrub-style pyjamas and was told he had been given the sedative lorazepam to help him sleep and was being treated for dehydration.

He also claimed he did not recognise it was Michael because he was so gaunt and pale.

Later, the paramedic called the UCLA Medical Centre and was told to "call it" as a death.

He added: "I told them we have a very high profile VIP and I would be more comfortable transporting him."

After taking Michael's body to the ambulance, he returned to the bedroom and saw Dr. Murray by the bed clearing away medical supplies.

He said: "He had a white plastic trash bag and was picking stuff up."

Among those in the court room for the hearing were the singer's family, including parents Joe and Katherine Jackson and sister Janet.

The hearing is being undertaken to discover whether or not Dr. Murray should face manslaughter charges relating to his death.