Debbie Rowe took the stand at the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial today, making for an insightful and profoundly emotional experience.
Jackson’s ex-wife was ordered to testify by AEG Live, who the icon’s family is suing for billions, citing the concert promoters alleged liability for his demise.
The Jacksons say AEG was negligent by ignoring warning signs, pushing MJ more than he could take, and hiring Dr. Conrad Murray to oversee his health.
On the stand, Rowe found herself explaining Jackson’s relationship with his doctors, and with drugs, which turns out to be the centerpiece of the case.
Through tears, she lamented his longtime battle with addiction, saying, "His fear of pain was incredible and I think the doctors took advantage in that way."
"Michael expected doctors to do no harm. Unfortunately, some doctors decided when Michael was in pain they would try to help him, and so he listened."
Debbie Rowe explained that when she was working for Dr. Arnold Klein, she would sometimes go to Jackson’s house twice a day to check on him.
She would also go on the weekend, adding that the doctors were competing for MJ business and would call him and tell him they had better drugs.
At one point, she called Dr. Allan Metzger and told him that Klein wasn’t doing what was best for Michael, and that Metzger was good for the star.
Or at least he might have been. We’ll never know, she lamented, blurting out at one point, "’Cause Conrad Murray got in there and killed him."
Rowe said Dr. Steven Hoefflin would give Jackson Propofol when he would have his burn scars injected, and only when having a procedure done.
However, Rowe added that at times, she knew about when one doctor would just give him Propofol and put him under for 4-5 hours without treatment.
She said she talked with Jackson about the problem but "he was worried about the pain … I’m probably one of the one people that said no to him."
Debbie Rowe, interestingly, was called as a witness by AEG, which is looking to establish a pattern of drug abuse that Michael alone is responsible for.
They believe her stories will prove that they are not complicit in the King of Pop’s death; Rowe herself does not see eye to eye with them there, though.
Debbie feels AEG is responsible for pushing him too hard in spite of this though, adding, "There is no way he could ever do a concert two nights in a row."
"His shows are so physical. My concern was it was a little drastic to do something like that. We were in another country and I didn’t know any of the medications."
She said she worried "what happens if you die," but mentioned that Jackson himself was not too worried, but "was more worried about not sleeping."
Thus, he took more Propofol than ever. Rowe will resume testimony tomorrow as the complex, high-stakes case winds toward an uncertain end.