Jackson doctor 'scooped' painkillers

A paramedic says he saw Michael Jackson's doctor scoop up painkiller bottles as they tried to revive him.

The third day of a preliminary hearing into the cause of the 'Thriller' singer's death took place yesterday (06.01.11), and saw testimony from paramedic Martin Blount, who attended Michael's house on the night he died of acute Propofol intoxication on June 25 2009.

Blount told the court he saw the performer's personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray - who has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter - scoop up bottles of painkiller and put them in a bag.

He said: "I saw three small bottles of Lidocaine. He scooped them off the floor and put them into a black bag."

Blount said he was surprised to see the bottles as Dr. Murray had told paramedics he hadn't given Jackson any drugs.

He also said the team attending the house saw Dr. Murray produce a hypodermic needle which he wanted to use on the singer, though the paramedics refused.

The medic was the seventh witness called at preliminary hearing, after which Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will determine if there is enough evidence for Dr. Murray to face a full trial.

Previously, in his opening statement Prosecutor David Walgren claimed his team believe Michael was already dead when Dr. Murray called emergency services.

Previous witnesses have included choreographer Kenny Ortega, who was working with Michael when he died, paramedic Richard Senneff, and the singer's former security chief Faheem Muhammed.

The hearing continues.