As a billion-dollar civil battle between the star's family and his comeback tour promoter begins, the focus is on Conrad Murray.
A detective who investigated the death of Michael Jackson has told a court he found a mass of evidence that the pop star's doctor was in dire financial straits.
Orlando Martinez said he believed Conrad Murray would do whatever was necessary to get paid.
The LAPD homicide detective was among the first witnesses in a $40bn (£25bn) civil court battle between Jackson's family and AEG Live, the promoter of his comeback tour.
Mr Martinez told the jury that Murray, who was convicted of Jackson's manslaughter, was more than $500,000 (£321,000) in debt at the time of the star's death. He said the doctor was financially "severely distressed".
Murray has eight children by seven different women and faced a mountain of claims for child support, mortgage and tax arrears and loans, the court heard.
Jackson at the annoucement of his tour in 2009
He was expecting to receive $150,000 a month (£96,000) to serve as Jackson's tour doctor but the singer died before the contract was signed.
Jackson's mother Katherine claims concert giant AEG Live is guilty of negligence for failing to properly investigate Murray and his finances. Her case is that the company put profits ahead of the health of a man with drug use problems.
AEG has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that it was Jackson himself who hired Murray and hid his drug use from even those closest to him.
Mr Martinez conducted a police interview with Murray shortly after Jackson died in which the doctor said he was employed by the star, and not his promoter.
But Mr Martinez told the court that he discovered a contract in the doctor's car which showed an arrangement between him and AEG Live.
He will continue to give evidence on Wednesday, and the case is expected to last up to three months.
Jackson's children Prince and Paris are expected to be called to give evidence along with his ex-wives and siblings and a host of star names. The family is seeking billions of dollars in compensation and lost earnings.
Jackson died in June 2009 from an overdose of the surgical anaesthetic Propofol. Murray was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
He is appealing against his conviction and has said he will not testify at the civil case.
A detective who investigated the death of Michael Jackson has told a court he found a mass of evidence that the pop star's doctor was in dire financial straits.Orlando Martinez said he believed Conrad Murray would do whatever was necessary to get paid.
The LAPD homicide detective was among the first witnesses in a $40bn (£25bn) civil court battle between Jackson's family and AEG Live, the promoter of his comeback tour.
Mr Martinez told the jury that Murray, who was convicted of Jackson's manslaughter, was more than $500,000 (£321,000) in debt at the time of the star's death. He said the doctor was financially "severely distressed".
Murray has eight children by seven different women and faced a mountain of claims for child support, mortgage and tax arrears and loans, the court heard.
Jackson at the annoucement of his tour in 2009He was expecting to receive $150,000 a month (£96,000) to serve as Jackson's tour doctor but the singer died before the contract was signed.
Jackson's mother Katherine claims concert giant AEG Live is guilty of negligence for failing to properly investigate Murray and his finances. Her case is that the company put profits ahead of the health of a man with drug use problems.
AEG has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that it was Jackson himself who hired Murray and hid his drug use from even those closest to him.
Mr Martinez conducted a police interview with Murray shortly after Jackson died in which the doctor said he was employed by the star, and not his promoter.
But Mr Martinez told the court that he discovered a contract in the doctor's car which showed an arrangement between him and AEG Live.
He will continue to give evidence on Wednesday, and the case is expected to last up to three months.
Jackson's children Prince and Paris are expected to be called to give evidence along with his ex-wives and siblings and a host of star names. The family is seeking billions of dollars in compensation and lost earnings.
Jackson died in June 2009 from an overdose of the surgical anaesthetic Propofol. Murray was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter.
He is appealing against his conviction and has said he will not testify at the civil case.
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