Michael Jackson administered own drugs?

Apr 5, 2010, 12:52 GMT

Michael Jackson administered his fatal drugs overdose himself, Dr. Conrad Murray's defence are set to claim.

The late 'Thriller' singer died of acute intoxication by medical anaesthetic Propofol last June, and his personal doctor, Conrad Murray faces trial for his murder.

Lawyers for the doctor ? who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter - are, however, set to claim it was the singer who administered the powerful drug, not Murray, according to website TMZ.

The defence team say that Dr Murray administered a small dose of 25 milligrams of Propofol to the singer, then sat with him for an hour making calls.

He then went to use the bathroom, during which time Jackson, 50, awoke and was frustrated that he couldn't sleep; so he reached for the 20 millilitre bottle and intravenously administered it, a huge overdose which lead to his death.

The defence will then tell how Murray re-entered the room, and saw what had happened and immediately started trying to resuscitate the star.

The website said the defence will also argue Jackson was a long time Propofol addict, and a key piece of evidence will be an empty bottle of the powerful drug.

TMZ wrote: "Los Angeles County Coroner's investigators took a picture in the room, showing an empty Propofol bottle on the floor, underneath the nightstand by Jackson's bed.

"The defence will argue Jackson grabbed the bottle from the nightstand, injected himself and then dropped the bottle."

Last week one of Jackson's bodyguards, Alberto Alvarez, claimed Murray stopped CPR in order to hide bottles of Propofol.

TMZ added the defence are expected to ask that if this is the case, then why did he not hide the bottle under the nightstand.

Michael's father, Joe Jackson, said he is "horrified" by the claims, and that he doesn't believe them.

He told TMZ: "I don't believe it. It's not true. Why would he Murray hide all the bottles if such a story were true?

"The Coroner's report shows the story is not true. This really upsets me to hear this."

Murray's lawyers have yet to comment on the website's claims. The doctor's trial is expected to go ahead later this year.