Testimony ends in 21st week of trial against concert promoter over Michael Jackson’s death

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A look at key moments this past week in the wrongful death trial in Los Angeles between Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, and concert giant AEG Live LLC, and what is expected at court in the week ahead:

THE CASE

Jackson’s mother wants a jury to determine that the promoter of Jackson’s planned comeback concerts didn’t properly investigate Dr. Conrad Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter by a criminal jury for Jackson’s June 2009 death. AEG’s attorney says the case is about personal choice, namely Jackson’s decision to have Murray serve as his doctor and give him doses of a powerful anesthetic as a sleep aid. Millions, possibly billions, of dollars are at stake.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS PAST WEEK

— Jurors heard from Jackson’s longtime personal physician, Dr. Allan Metzger, who was one of the final witnesses called in the case.

— Metzger described his treatments on Jackson and their friendship. The doctor described Jackson as secretive about his medical care and said the singer engaged in doctor shopping.

— The physician said Jackson’s frequent medical visits were the result of injuries he sustained while performing, including burns to his scalp and back pain, and the skin conditions discoid lupus and vitiligo.

— Metzger said he believed Jackson’s use of pain medications was for legitimate reasons and that the singer never used medications to get high or for pleasure.

— Judge Yvette Palazuelos ruled that Katherine Jackson was dependent on her son for some of her living expenses and is entitled to recoup damages in the case if AEG Live is found liable for her son’s death.

WHAT THE JURY SAW

— Metzger testify via video and in person. AEG’s attorneys played more than an hour of the doctor’s testimony and he was called as a live witness by Katherine Jackson’s lawyers.

— Metzger’s attorney Eric George take the stand after his client testified, telling the jury that Metzger wasn’t being paid by attorneys for the Jacksons, an issue that was raised while the doctor was on the stand.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

— “He wanted to redeem Michael Jackson. … He wanted to redeem his image. He felt this was it and he wanted to go out with a flash. He was still terribly hurt about the trial and the accusations,” Metzger said of Jackson’s desire to perform the “This Is It” shows successfully. In 2005 , Jackson was acquitted of child molestation charges in a criminal trial.

— “I don’t believe this was in any way a recreational problem,” Metzger said of Jackson’s use of prescription medications.

— “I told him it was dangerous and I couldn’t help him,” Metzger said about Jackson asking him for intravenous sleep medicines in a meeting at the singer’s home two months before his death.

WHAT’S NEXT

Closing arguments are expected to begin on Tuesday and jurors should receive the case sometime on Thursday to begin deliberations.