Doctor: 'I didn't kill Michael Jackson'

Michael Jackson

's personal doctor - the last person to see him alive - has broken his silence and insists: "I did not kill him."

Conrad Murray

, who

found Jackson stricken

in the bedroom of his rented Beverly Hills mansion last month and performed CPR on the star, also denies supplying and administering Propofol, a powerful anaesthetic, to the singer shortly before he died.

The singer was under the care of Murray at the time of his death on 25 June, and police immediately questioned him as part of their investigation. He was then questioned two days later, amid press speculation that he was a suspect in the police investigation.

Scapegoat

However, speaking to

The People

newspaper, Murray has now addressed the rumours and claims he's being made a "scapegoat" for the tragedy in the media.

He said: "I did not give Michael anything that should have led to his death. I do not know anything more than anyone else about what killed Michael - but it wasn't me."

He also dismissed reports he'd done a runner from Los Angeles to avoid being questioned by police a third time.

Celebrity gossip website TMZ.com claimed his lawyer spoke to the Los Angeles Police Department and said his client "would not be speaking to the cops at this time".

Murray - who was reportedly paid US$165,000 a month by the late star - added: "I have lost a good friend.

"It's human nature to try and find a scapegoat but if I was the focus of a criminal probe I would have been told by now. I have been told nothing even though I have been co-operating with the police since day one."

30 minutes

Murray reportedly waited up to 30 minutes before calling paramedics after he found the King of Pop unconscious at his Los Angeles home on June 25. Murray's lawyer claimed the delay in calling 911 stemmed from the doctor not knowing the address of the house he was in.

"He [Murray] didn't know where he was, didn't know the physical address. There was no land line, no phone in Jackson's room that would have allowed him to call. It was all happening so fast," the lawyer said.

24-hour guard

Reports also say Murray is now under 24-hour protection following the King of Pop's death - amid fears he may be attacked by Jackson fans.

A snitch close to Murray said: "He did all he could to resuscitate Michael. He is in a terrible situation.

"Anyone who was there when Michael died would face similar anger from his fans because they feel he should have done more to save him. He is being given round-the-clock protection from the security team who looked after Michael."

Innocent

Murray's lawyers also maintain he has nothing to hide.

"Dr Murray did not give Michael anything that should have led to his death," spokesperson Miranda Sevcik said.

"The investigators are not telling us anything or keeping us up to date with what is going on.

"Until the toxicology reports are out they are not going to do anything."

Not on the run

She added: "He is not on the run - he is with his family and is trying to get his life back together. More importantly, he has lost a good friend.

"He does not know how it happened.

"In fact, he does not know any more than anyone else about what killed Michael Jackson. But he says it wasn't him."

Brothers: 'Why did Michael die?'

But two of Jackson's brothers,

Tito

and

Jermaine

, have

reportedly criticised

Murray for allegedly failing to act fast enough to save the singer.

Speaking to Britian's

The Sun

newspaper, a tearful Jermaine said: "The first time I met Dr Murray was at the hospital. I felt that if he was a doctor, why was Michael dead?"

"But everything will come out. I feel that God put Michael here to do good - and he's not going to leave that chapter unfinished.

"I really feel that at the end of the day there will be clarity as to what happened.

"What we don't want, and what I can't have, is for Michael's passing to be a mystery forever."

Jackson's other sibling Tito said: "My opinion is that he panicked when my brother didn't wake up. I think the doctor probably figured he was in trouble and he tried to revive Michael. He did have a pulse but he couldn't bring him back.

"I don't know what the time lapse was between the doctor finding him and when he called paramedics. But I believe if he had immediately called for help we might still have my brother here today, he would definitely still be alive. I think he (Murray) is a suspect. But suspected of exactly what? I don't know."

Tito also accused Murray of not carrying out proper resuscitation.

The doctor reportedly performed CPR on Jackson while he lay in a soft bed, not on a hard surface as is recommended.

"The CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) attempt is one of the things I noticed that was very strange. CPR is one of the first things you learn to do as a doctor, and you don't do it on a soft bed."

Justice will be done

Jermaine - the closest to Michael of all his brothers - believes justice will be done, so the superstar can be remembered for his musical legacy.

He went on: "The doctors need to be looked at, I did not know these guys. But I'm sure they are all under investigation.

"I have a dear friend who is in the police and there are investigations going on. I'm sure they are going to get to the bottom of it.

"Somebody is responsible - that doesn't just happen. Someone is responsible and that's why there are ongoing investigations."

Jermaine added: "I have no idea what happened in those 24 hours. They talk about painkillers and all that kind of stuff but I am uneducated when it comes to any of that.

"I haven't heard any toxicology reports yet and I wouldn't call it anything until we find out what the reports say and until the conclusion of the investigation.

Murder

"I know my sister

La Toya

said she thought it was murder and that is how she's taking it. That's her emotions speaking out and my father has said things because he lost a son.

"I say wait to see what the toxicology report says, then go from there.

"If there's foul play, investigators can track back and see what happened. If it was murder, then who did it?

"My question is, why would anyone want to murder Michael Jackson - one of the most wonderful people who have ever walked this earth?"

Toxicology report

The coroner's toxicology report on Jackson is expected within the

next two weeks

, which may determine what caused the singer's death. In the meantime, the Jackson circus continues.

*

For complete coverage of the life, career and passing of the legendary entertainer, see

here

.

Sneak peek: Shakira's hot new vid

Hip-swivelling singer

Shakira

is treating her legion of Kiwi fans with a sneak peek of her video to new single

She Wolf

.

Witness the porn-tastic morsel below:

The sassy lass says the animalistic song came to her in a flash of inspiration - shortly before she began "howling and panting" while penning its lyrics.

"

She Wolf

came to me very mysteriously. I was in the studio in a bad mood that day, then I got inspired and went to a corner and I wrote the lyrics and the melody in 10 minutes. The image of the she wolf just came to my head, and when I least expected it, I was howling and panting."

We know exactly how she feels. No blog goes by without a heavy pant and a heave.

Describing the video itself, she says: "I am in a cage, but I am showing the desperation of being in it. I got a little carried away, hanging upside down."

Stay tuned for the full-length video in all its feral glory later this week. You're all so, so welcome.

Blogger Bites Back

Pictured: Michael Jackson in concert. Photo / AP

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