Shocking Picture of Michael Jackson's Dead Body

KOMPAS.com - The highly anticipated trial into the death of Michael Jackson opened with an extraordinary moment as the prosecutor started his opening remarks by displaying a photo of the singer's dead body.

As Dr Conrad Murray appeared before the jury charged with involuntary manslaughter over Jackson’s death more than two years ago, deputy district attorney David Walgren displayed the picture that appeared to show tape or tubing over Jackson's face.

The hearing became like a circus, as opposing fans of the King of Pop and supporters of Dr Murray gathered outside the courthouse in Los Angeles waving placards and banners as the whole Jackson family made their way into court for what has been billed as the trial of the century.

Later, the prosecution played a tape of a healthy-looking Jackson giving his last ever performance - a rehearsal of his hit Earth Song - recorded a day before he died.

The lights in the courtroom were turned off and the singer was shown on a screen performing Earth Song at rehearsals at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, just hours before he passed away. Jackson's mother appeared to be in tears watching the clip.

'Michael Jackson’s death was a homicide,' Los Angeles deputy district attorney David Walgren told the jury in opening statements.

'The evidence will show that Michael Jackson literally put his life in the hands of Conrad Murray... Michael Jackson trusted his life to the medical skills of Conrad Murray.

'The evidence will show that misplaced trust had far too high a price to pay... it cost Michael Jackson his life.'

But Dr Murray's defence attorney Ed Chernoff told the jury that Michael Jackson caused his own death.

Dr Murray wiped tears from his eyes as Mr Chernoff said that the evidence will show that the singer swallowed 8, 2 mg pills of Lorazepam and injected himself with a dose of propofol.