Jackson's life recounted in opening of civil trial

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LOS ANGELES  — Michael Jackson’s struggle against drug addiction was on display Monday during opening statements in his mother’s wrongful death case against concert promoter AEG Live.

Competing portraits of Jackson emerged during the first hours of the trial, with Katherine Jackson’s attorney acknowledging the pop star’s drug problems while also trying to show he was a caring son and father.

“His stirring voice, his musical genius, his creativity and his generosity and his huge heart was extinguished forever,” her lawyer, Brian Panish, said in his opening remarks.

AEG’s attorney, Marvin S. Putnam, said that while Jackson’s death was tragic, his guarded private life meant the company was unaware that he was using the powerful anesthetic propofol.

“The truth is, Michael Jackson fooled everyone,” Putnam said. “He made sure that no one — nobody — knew his deepest, darkest secrets.”

A jury of six men and six women will determine whether AEG should pay Jackson’s mother and three children for their losses after his 2009 death from an overdose of propofol. Millions and possibly billions of dollars in damages are at stake in the case that opened with private photos of the singer with his children and video clips of Jackson dancing.

“This case is about personal choices,” Putnam said about Jackson’s decision to be treated by physician Conrad Murray. “Also, it was about his personal responsibility. There’s no question that Michael Jackson’s death was a terrible tragedy.

“I believe the evidence will show it was not a tragedy of AEG Live’s making,” Putnam said as he ended his opening statement. Testimony will begin Tuesday.

Panish said AEG created a conflict of interest for Murray and forced him to choose between a large payday and Jackson’s care. He told the jury AEG was feeling competitive pressures and wanted the Jackson tour to work at all costs.

“They didn’t care who got lost in the wash,” Panish told the jury.

Panish played a song that Jackson wrote for his three children, “You Are My Life,” and displayed a note the singer had written for his mother that brought tears to her eyes as she sat in court.

Katherine Jackson sued AEG Live in September 2010, claiming it failed to properly investigate Murray before allowing him to serve as Jackson’s doctor as he prepared for his “This Is It” shows. She is also suing on behalf of her son’s three children — Prince, Paris and Blanket.

AEG denies it hired Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death. AEG’s attorneys have said the company could not have foreseen the circumstances that led to the singer’s death at age 50.

Panish told jurors that AEG executives ignored warning signs about Jackson’s health and were motivated to push the singer and his doctor to improve their own financial fortunes.

“We’re not looking for any sympathy,” Panish said. “We’re looking for truth and justice.”

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