Paramedics testify at the Michael Jackson trial
Paramedics provided some damning testimony on the 4th day of the Michael Jackson manslaughter trial.
Paremedic #1
Richard Senneff, Firefighter/Paramedic #1 who arrived at the scene to attend Michael Jackson the day he died, testified on day 4 of the MJ manslaughter trial.
Upon entering the room, the paramedics noted who was in the room noting that Murray and security were moving MJ to the floor when they arrived.
According to the paramedics Murray was ‘frantic’ when they arrived.
He confirmed MJ’s bedroom. He asked if there was a Do Not Recisitate Order (DNR) in place. He asked Murray this information. The doctor did not respond.
Murray asked again this question and then responded No to the paramedics. The paramedic observed that there was an IV stand and bag, underweight patient and an oxygen tank.
At this point he explains he is trying to gather information by asking the doctor underlying health conditions of the patient. Murray said there were no underlying conditions. He asked this several times but it made no sense with an IV hooked up to a patient. He asked how long the patient ‘went down’. Murray said it had just happened when he called.
The paramedic believed by that statement that they could possibly save the patient because timing was key to saving a patient. He received call at 12:22 and based on the time 12:26 assisting the patient (5 minutes have elapsed from receiving the call and now being at the patient’s side).
After entering the room, MJ was moved from the floor near the nightstand to the foot of the bed by the paramedics because there was more room to assist MJ. This was at the foot of the bed.
Still trying to get information from the doctor the paramedics by starting CPR and ventilation, hooking up EKG. Four paramedics are working together to help MJ.
Chess compressions with 2 hands were done. Ventaling with an an ambu bag was used. A mask was put on MJ’s mouth. It was done immediately to get air into his lungs. The EKG (heart monitor) with 4 leads are attached to MJ’s body to provide heart readings. The EKG reading showed a flatline heart rate.
Medications administered at the same time. MJ had an IV in his leg. They tested it would work. Drugs were given to start the heart. They were expecting to see a change in his condition but there was none.
The paramedics asked about medication explaining that he saw an underweight patient, an IV and medication. He said he was taking nothing but eventually said he gave him Lorazipan. Again he asked Murray if anything else was administered which he denied.
Murray said he was treating MJ for dehydration and exhaustion.
MJ had a tube inserted into his lungs diretly to allow the lungs to get a full expansion of oxygen into the lungs.
MJ was monitored measuring the success of the lifesaving steps.
“We had to insert tube directly into Jacks’s lungs to step up efforts to resuscitate him”. The reading on the machine showed a reading of 16.
The paramedic said that the condition of the patient did not support the 5 minute timeline. He observed, that moving the patient at first his skin was cool to the touch, his eyes were open and dry they were dialed. He was flatlined and the cap reading at 16 was low.
A second round of drugs to start the drugs was administered. They were administered differently. By locating a vein in the juggler on MJ, they injected these drugs. They had tried to locate another vein first somewhere on the arms. He was not successful after working with right and left arms (around 5 attempts) using a needle. He was unsuccessful at locating a vein. If blood has not been circulating in a body makes locating a vein more difficult.
The paramedic later learned the patient was Michael Jackson.
They were talking to the base station during the procedures. The base station were providing feedback. They asked if they wanted to stop or continue. At this point they had administered one round, then two round of starter drugs – with no change in MJ’s change.
Speaking to UCLA to a doctor through the nurse – base station – and no change has occurred – no heart activity or any other vital signs. UCLA said they were prepared to cease recitation efforts – assuming MJ was dead at that time.
The IV in the leg was pulled out accidently that is why the juggler was later used. Still no change in MJ’s status.
At some time before the last time UCLA was contacted, Murray claimed a pulse was felt. He said it was at the right groin side. With this information, they looked at the heart monitor which indicated a flatline still existed. Movement by compression only caused any equipment activity. The medics stopped CPR to see if the heart monitor was affected. It continued to be flatlined. No pulse was evident when 2 paramedics checked either. They even confirmed the groin area to verify a pulse and still they felt no pulse.
UCLA was ready to pronounce MJ dead at 12:57 according to audio tape heard in the court. Murray then says he will take control of the patient.
The paramedic confirmed no other equipment was noted except for the IV stand/bag.
Murray asked them to do a central line procedure. This would be a direct line into the heart. Paramedics don’t have the training or equipment to do this. It has to be done at the hospital. Murray offered no equipment to do this.
Murray also asked him to administer Magnesium. They did not have this and the doctor did not have this either.
He told the court that if Murray had called 911 immediately, Michael Jackson’s life might have been saved and that they could have restarted Michael’s heart.
Paremedic #2
Martin Blount, Firefighter/Paramedic #2, told the court he too believed Micheal was dead when they arrived.
Blount said Murray told them the IV bag contained “normal saline.” He told them MJ was “dehydrated” after a 16-hour rehearsal the night before.
Although Senneff testified he saw Murray clearing out some vials after MJ was loaded onto the ambulance, Blount says he saw Murray scooping up Lidocaine bottles into a black bag even before the singer was taken out of the room.
