Michael Jackson Deathbed Photo Splashed Across Newspapers (PHOTOS, POLL)

if you haven't already picked up a newspaper today, you might not have seen the leading and haunting image of Michael Jackson laying on his deathbed lifeless and limp. Dr. Conrad Murray, his former physician, sat through the first day of his manslaughter trial on Tuesday. Jurors were shown this disturbing photograph and heard a recording of Michael Jackson's eerie voice while he was sedated on the drug that allegedly killed him.

Debates often arise regarding newspaper front page photographs as editors often adhere to the ideology that readers do not want to see blood with their breakfast. However this morning the image of one of the world's most loved and celebrated pop icons was splashed across various publications, sometimes without any warning that the photo was graphic.

Rupert Murdoch's The Sun and The New York Post handled the photograph in two different ways. For those who picked up The Sun in the UK, they were immediately confronted with the front page photo of Jackson on his deathbed. The New York Post, on the other hand, ran the photo in a way that some say highlights the difference between European and U.S. newspapers, by placing the photograph in the newspaper and only putting a red headline across the front page stating, "Warning! Graphic Photo Inside: Michael Jackson On His Deathbed."

Other papers to splash the photo included Britain's Daily Mirror and amNewYork, which is handed out for free across the city.

Do you think these newspapers went too far? See a small gallery of the papers, and tell us what you think in our poll below.

Quick Poll

Did the papers that showed Jackson's body on the front go too far?

Definitely.

Nope.

Share your vote on Facebook so your friends can take this poll

Comments

[gintheb]

04:48 PM on 10/23/2011

He's dead, not indecent. His body is covered. If they showed a picture of him in the casket would it be very different?

[jaxii2005]

07:25 PM on 10/11/2011

It's morbid, but nowadays if the photo is real people don't believe it's real or come up with theories.

[lulubelle1956]

10:23 PM on 09/29/2011

If they show it in court, it is a public picture available for use by the media.

[PiedType]

04:41 PM on 09/29/2011

And what fine upstanding person at the hospital took this picture?

[kasv]

06:37 PM on 10/10/2011

I believe he was in his home, not the hospital.

[Tresco]

11:36 AM on 09/29/2011

Death pictures of famous people have been around for a long time. Morbid and freaky but you can't suppress them. People want to see famous dead people for some reason. I don't know why.

[Capt03]

11:02 AM on 09/29/2011

Michael Jackson never looked better.

[libwithaclue]

03:15 PM on 09/29/2011

Even dead, he probably looks better than you.

[Capt03]

04:22 PM on 09/29/2011

That's impossible. I have blood running through my veins, have my original nose, and if I an African American, I'd be proud to have those traits in my heritage instead of trying to change my appearance to look more white. Several of the Jackson's have altered their facial features to the point where they no longer look African American, but they look like freaks in the midway at a carnival. Also, I've never done any drug in my life that was not for a legit medical reason. Michael Jackson was a very sad, sad case that people should learn from and stay away from drugs.

[GeorgeP922]

10:36 AM on 09/29/2011

Im curious here, is he actually gone in that photo, are they saying this was tens before or after, these headlines from the various papers are misleading.

[MJJBunny]

09:40 AM on 09/29/2011

Song: Money. Lyrics by Michael Jackson.

Money.
Money...
Lie for it
Spy for it
Kill for it
Die for it
So you call it trust
But I say it's just
In the devil's game
Of greed and lust
They don't care
They'd do me for the money
They don't care
They use me for the money

[Gavin Saunders]

08:32 AM on 09/29/2011

By rights, it ought to be Muckmurdoch on the front pages.

God knows he's made most of his fortune from exploiting Jackson in the slimiest of ways.

[grapost]

08:26 AM on 09/29/2011

When it comes to making money, there are no morals!

[pachonette]

07:58 AM on 09/29/2011

Although I feel that it's flat out disrespectful to (anyone who doesn't agree) to have their photo posted to any magazine, however this photo doesn't look like a deceased person as much as it does a person laying ill on a hospital gurney... With respect to the late great Michael J. Jackson and his family I think these news papers most certainly need to stop capitalizing off of his success and his families pain/suffering and get a F*@KING life!!!!

[traceymarie]

11:53 AM on 09/29/2011

late pedophile...there I fixed it.

[Gavin Saunders]

11:01 PM on 09/29/2011

You are entitled to your opinion, as erroneous as it is, but don't kid yourself that you fixed anything.

[pachonette]

06:36 AM on 09/30/2011

While each person is entitled to their opinion (even the ignorant ones), what gives you the right to judge this man before/after death when he was exonerated by a jury of his peers governed by the courts that stand by the logo IN GOD WE TRUST!!!! Furthermore haven't you heard how wrong it is to speak ill of the deceased, not to mention that your attempt to fix something hasn't a damned thing to do with the topic at hand.. If you can't stay on point perhaps you should consider spending your time toward further education instead of senseless slander!!!

[Fredday]

07:57 AM on 09/29/2011

The result of "Capitalism".

If you think this is bad, just wait. This isn't the tip of the iceberg they're willing to mow us over with.

[themightyabealrd]

05:13 AM on 09/29/2011

Not a fan of The Gloved One, but there is (used to be) a line not to be crossed. I mean, what if one of Jackson's kids saw this? Geez! This kind of slimy sensationalism is unforgiveable.

[sabelmouse]

09:20 AM on 09/29/2011

i never want to see pictures of dead people. i was looking for pictures of anna nicole smith a while ago and first thing that came up was a death picture. they ought to not include these unless requested.

[abdsnoop]

05:57 PM on 10/08/2011

it is an insult to him and his family especially the children. The fool who took the picture is definitely lacking something.

[Kalemanao]

05:03 AM on 09/29/2011

NOT FAR-FETCHED TO ME!

When I first saw this photograph televised... The first thought that occurred to me was the GOP has to somehow be involved in this unthinkable exposure... If not... they... will certainly use this... somehow... in their on-going campaign to destroy this country.

[Francois Bergeron]

03:57 AM on 09/29/2011

Sad.