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Dr. Johnny Benjamin

Dr. Johnny Benjamin

Posted: April 6, 2010 08:00 AM

MJ fans: Prepare for the Blame the Victim Defense

What's Your Reaction:

Make no doubt about it. Conrad Murray (I will not do further damage to the profession of medicine by using his disgraced title) and his group of hired guns, otherwise known as defense attorneys, will sink to even lower depths as they try to save his freedom. For the record: I do not disparage all attorneys, only those that like their client will do anything for a buck. Or more correctly a lot of bucks.

When a perpetrator has no reasonable defense and nearly all hope is gone there is always one last desperate play: blame the victim.

I raped her cause she wanted it. The child had no loving father figure and wanted me to touch them. I only did it because I love her...She made me hit her. We've all heard it before and the world is very likely to hear it again when the victim, Michael Jackson, is put on trial instead of Conrad Murray.

The defense will spare no expense, truth or civility in their attempt to paint a very dark portrait of MJ the 'hopelessly addicted junkie' and probably far worse. They will add further spice as they include just a pinch of past troubles and allegations that have little if anything to do with his death. They will do their best to divert the attention away from their client and refocus the trial on the 'deeply troubled life of desperate man' that accidentally killed himself.

I pray (as a physician) that at the end of the day one question will be answered. Was it the reasonable standard of care in Los Angeles for a doctor to administer a powerful general anesthesia drug to a person in their bedroom that consequently caused the person (an alleged 'hopelessly addicted junkie or not) to die? Or was the doctor practicing sub-standard medicine, outside the scope of his training, in an inappropriate and insufficiently monitored setting?

 

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04:09 PM on 04/15/2010
Yes is the answer to the last question posed. I think Dr. Benjamin is on point
to say the defense will spare nothing when it comes to trashing Michael. It's coming
and I simply hate the idea. The man is not even here any longer and he is still
the victim of viscious attacks on his person and legacy. I sincerely hope that the
prosecution has a iron tight case and is prepared to refute what is sure to be alleged.
I also hope that the positive energy and feelings toward Michael since his passing
will withstand this and that those who have a media voice will speak out in his
defense. I certainly will in my own small way. I think it should also be remembered
that there are three children who will be greatly affected by what's said about their
beloved father.
04:50 PM on 04/15/2010
As a medical professional for 30 yrs., I am beyond disgusted with Dr. Murray, as well as all of the other "medical professionals" who "cared" for Michael. As a human being I am beyond disgusted with all of those who have and will ridicule Michael endlessly for their own gain. This reminds me of the Salem Witch Hunts. Now I understand why the bible states that "the root of all evil is the love of money" Surely any intelligent jury member will see the truth, just as the jury members of the molestation trial did. It is so very painful to see people tear each other apart for nothing but money. I did, of course, love Michael's music. I admired him, however, for the kind and loving soul that he was and all that he did for others. This man gave by conservative estimates $350 million to $500 million of his own money to charity. Why was it never enough? Those of us who care will not be silent.
12:58 PM on 04/15/2010
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU DR BENJAMIN! At last, someone speaks the truth. At some point I hope you would be so kind to discuss the medical issues Jackson faced throughout his life, what the proper treatment of those conditions would be and what risks would be associated with the pharmaceuticals used in those treatments. As a musician, I can sympathize with Jackson and the incredibly high demands that performing puts on your mind and body. It's a mental/physical toughness test that you really can't imagine if you haven't attempted it on a high professional level. It's an obvious fact that Jackson worked on the highest level anyone ever has. I totally get it that he HAD to have some extreme help for his life long insomnia or the ambitious show he was mounting wouldn't be possible. I disagree with giving him propofol, but if it were seen as a way to help him, I can NEVER forgive it being given without the proper personnel and equipment. Jackson was the victim, I don't care what they try to make up about him.
10:27 AM on 04/12/2010
Thank you Dr. Benjamin for such a wonderful article.I have been a fan of Michael Jackson since I was 8, However, I am not blind to the fact that he did have some demons that he had to fight. I agree with every comment that was posted here. Michael had alot of enablers who wanted nothing but money from him. "He has never had one day of peace since the day he stepped on stage. The medialoids broke him down and Conrad Murray finished the job. All I see is greed and he had a hidden agenda. I don't care if Michael asked for it.God forbid if all drs did this. Murrays morals were in Michaels pockets. Whatever Michael wanted.Murray gave him. Where was his belief in saving a life?Conrad Murray should not be allowed to practice medicine again due to the fact that he is a danger to society. He has brought shame to himself and is an embarrassment to other doctors. He should never have the opportunity to practice medicine again. Murrays patients must have a death wish . I pray that the Jackson Family find peace throughout this difficult time. This family is constantly under a microscope for no other reason than jealousy. Leave them alone because on June 25th they lost a son, a brother and a father...We lost an 'ANGEL" MICHAEL WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU....#JUSTICE4MICHAEL
10:24 AM on 04/12/2010
Thank you Dr. Benjamin for such a wonderful article.I have been a fan of Michael Jackson since I was 8, However, I am not blind to the fact that he did have some demons that he had to fight. I agree with every comment that was posted here. Michael had alot of enablers who wanted nothing but money from him. "He has never had one day of peace since the day he stepped on stage. The medialoids broke him down and Conrad Murray finished the job. All I see is greed and he had a hidden agenda. I don't care if Michael asked for it.God forbid if all drs did this. Murrays morals were in Michaels pockets. Whatever Michael wanted.Murray gave him. Where was his belief in saving a life?Conrad Murray should not be allowed to practice medicine again due to the fact that he is a danger to society. He has brought shame to himself and is an embarrassment to other doctors. He should never have the opportunity to practice medicine again. Murrays patients must have a death wish . I pray that the Jackson Family find peace throughout this difficult time. This family is constantly under a microscope for no other reason than jealousy. Leave them alone because on June 25th they lost a son, a brother and a father...We lost an 'ANGEL" MICHAEL WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU AND WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU....#JUSTICE4MICHAEL
02:34 PM on 04/11/2010
Thank you Dr. Benjamin for your honest article! I wish that more doctors would go public about what Conrad Murray did.
Murray is just another groupie MD who crossed the line, because his need for money became more important to him than his professional oath, which was to keep his patient safe at all costs. His crime was his inability to stick to his oath and say "no" to someone unable to make that decision for himself. Murray violated his oath as a doctor and because of that a man died. And why next not violate his reponsibility by blaming the victim himself? What else can you expect?
12:27 AM on 04/11/2010
Thank you for your article. I wish that more doctors would go public about what Murray did. "Dateline" did a show a few months ago and they had an anesthesiologist on who said that Murray was lying about the amount of propofol given. I do not understand why Murray would give any anesthesia to MJ at home. He should of had Michael put into a hospital for treatment of his sleep disorder. He did it for the money, he needed money due to being $700,000 in debt and he saw dollar signs.
12:21 AM on 04/11/2010
Of course Murray is not going to apologize for his MAL-PRACTICE, why would he? In the U.S. we have banksters Alan Greenspan, ratings agencies, AIG, etc. who destroyed the world's economy and they aren't held accountable so why would we be so foolish to think that a rogue doctor would think he did anything that he would be held accountable for? The only reason the DA is going after Murray is because he happened to kill Michael Jackson. If Murray had killed Michael Doe no one would have said anything. Doctors can get away with murder.

In my book Murray is guilty. He is totally negligent of mal-practice. I visited quite a few medical blogs after M.J. died last June and there were real doctors on them commenting on what Murray did and they all thought he was nuts. Not one condoned what he did. Not one. Also there were quite a few nurses commenting that if a nurse had done what Murray had done, i.e. give propofol in a private home, that the nurse would have lost their nursing license.

In the autopsy report for M.J. it clearly states that M.J.'s cause of death was propofol administered by another. The standard of care for propofol administration was NOT MET. Also in the autopsy it stated that M.J. would not have been able to self administer propofol into his leg port. He's guilty. Case closed.
11:43 AM on 04/08/2010
As a member of The Medical Community and a person who grew up with people who had addictions, I'e never heard of a Physican acting the way Murray has. It's bad enough that Michael had insomnia and was being robbed of sleep and needed help , and to be treatedd with an addictive mediacation and not be monitored is unheard of is unthinkable. Yes Murray's lawyers will try to blame Michael, thats the cowards way out, and we all know that. Dr. Muuary acn't face the fact that ,had he not given Michael propofol he would still be here. When I first heard that Michael had passed away , I knew that the Dr. had given him Propofol. I've worked in straight Drug Na Alcohol and Dual Diagnosis and never heard of what Dr. Murray did. He's shown no remorse or apologized towards The Jackson for what he's done, and as a Physican who's sworn to save lives it's shameful. Michael is the youngest so of Joe and Katherine Jackson, He's the sybling to, Janet,Rebbe,LaToya,Jermaine,ajackie,Randy,Marlon,Tito,He' the father of ,Prince Michael The second,Paris, and Blanket, and numerous nices ,and nephews who loved him and miss. Michael lived to be half century old , there's no way his life should've ended this way, and yes I' am a long time fan for over thirty years.
01:11 AM on 04/08/2010
Dr. Benjamin's article on the case against Conrad Murray for the death of Michael Jackson was very well-written. It was fair and unbiased and presented the case from the standpoint of a medical professional with knowledge of the intricate factors that came to play in the treatment and standard of care of Murray's patient, Mr. Jackson.

I am a fan of Michael Jackson and a Legionnaire with MJIL: the Michael Jackson International Legion. Our aim is to monitor and respond to media reports on Mr. Jackson and his family. We applaud you for presenting this article and hope that you continue to feature fair and unbiased media reports on Mr. Jackson and the Jacksons.

MJ LIVES IN US

www.mjil.net
08:09 PM on 04/07/2010
Dr. Benjamin, thank you for not calling Conrad Murray Dr. Murray. His actions do not follow the 1st standard of care, "Do No Harm". What Murray did to Michael Jackson was murder and gross negligence. All for the money. I thank you for having the courage to take the stance to defend Michael and call what Conrad Murray did into the light, unreasonable care of his patient. And at the end of the day, let the question be answered, did Murray do harm, absolutely yes. Murray took one of our national treasures and treated him like he was nothing. Thank you again for your courage and stand on this situation. And as the autopsy showed no other drugs in Michael's system but what Murray administered. No other damage indicative of long term drug abuse, so where is the term coming from "drug addict". Someone please address this issue.
08:05 PM on 04/07/2010
Thank you Dr. Benjamin! My disclaimer: I am a lifelong Michael Jackson. A super fan if you will, but not a crazed fan who is blind to the troubled, perhaps even tortured genius that was Michael Jackson. What I find disturbing is the too frequent interpretation of the circumstances surrounding Michael's death somehow provide shelter for anyone ( Murray, or any others who might have been involved) whose actions might have contributed or caused his demise. Our society has a seriously problematic perception, stigmatization, and marginalization of those with serious problems -- be it drug addiction, mental illness or other issues that somehow put them outside of the "normal." Michael (nor his addiction) is on trial as you so aptly point out---Conrad Murray is on trial. Providing "legal" drugs that had no business being administered for this purpose or in this way is at issue. Murray was under no obligation to be "victim" to Michael's begging, pleading or any other supposed manipulations. As a theoretically licensed physician, Murray had an obligation to "do no harm" and trying to find a shield for his own culpability in Michael's issues is absolutely beyond the pale. I pray that justice prevails and that Americans are not, once again, swept up in the negative media frenzy around Michael. Again, thanks for your article Dr. Benjamin.
01:40 PM on 04/07/2010
Thank you for speaking out against Murray. If he had done his job and said NO! he wouldn't be in this position in the first place. He should go to jail and have his license taken away.

Please continue to speak out so that he can do this to anyone else.

As Michael Jackson said, "Anything for money...." Murray and his lawyers are despicable!
10:19 AM on 04/07/2010
Thank you for the honest artice Dr.Benjamin !!
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Cherubim
10:04 AM on 04/07/2010
You are of course right about the "blame th victim defense."

During those times, I will remember what I have read about
the many happy times in his life Michael Jackson spent with his kids,
Like this one from his stay in Ireland.

“Michael had heard about the place through an agent; he had lots of agents,” Dunning relates. Once the family arrived, the gates were closed and the Jackson children settled down to a routine of lessons in a small room off one of the studios, playing with Dunning’s two children in the afternoons. Jackson made his own porridge in the mornings, favoured grilled chicken, fish and rice for dinner, went for walks, and read The Irish Times daily.
“He was very interested in how this country worked, and the boom that was on here at the time. He was an avid reader of The Irish Times ; he read it every day from start to finish.”

I am so happy that Michael Jackson's children: Prince, Paris, and Blanket,
have these and other Beautiful memories of time spent
in Love and Peace with their father.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0407/1224267823030.html
photo
HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
GrainneKathleen
09:58 AM on 04/07/2010
your ending question is exactly what i hope the jury will be focusing on as they make their decision after all is said and done.