Judge Rules Witnesses Can't Discuss Alleged Drug Use In Michael Jackson's Past

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A judge ruled Monday that witnesses won't be able to discuss Michael Jackson's drug use in the murder trial involving the pop superstar's doctor.

Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Murray's defense lawyers were attempting to portray the late singer as a drug addict using witness testimony. The witnesses were to reportedly come from Jackson's inner circle, even though most people who were close to him have not cooperated with Murray's legal team.

Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told Judge Michael Pastor that Michael Jackson administered the fatal dose of the anaesthetic propofol to himself.

The defense also argued that witnesses, including investigators involved in the 2003 child molestation case, would testify that Jackson was using Demerol. Jackson was acquitted in the 2003 case.

Chernoff alleged that Jackson had been addicted to Demerol for years and that, in the months leading up to his death, the King of Pop had been withdrawing from the drug. That's when he allegedly turned to Propofol, Chernoff said.

"We believe the time he did the desperate act we believe he did, he was withdrawing from Demerol -- he was addicted to Demerol," Chernoff said.

The defense stated that Jackson had been anxious about his upcoming concert tour, "This Is It", and was unable to sleep because of withdrawals from Demerol, and that was why he allegedly turned to propofol to ease his nerves.

However, the judge ruled against the defense, deeming the use of witness testimony on Jackson's past drug use would be "prejudicial" and are not pertinent to the charges in this case.

Judge Pastor said he'd only allow some witnesses to discuss the alleged drug use in the months leading up to Jackson's death.