Doc's lawyers say Michael Jackson was a drug addict

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Attorneys for the doctor accused of causing Michael Jackson's death, plan to call witnesses to say the U.S. pop star was a drug addict, court records show.

The Los Angeles Times said Monday the strategy of cardiologist Conrad Murray's defense team was outlined in papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Murray, who was Jackson's personal physician, is awaiting trial on an involuntary manslaughter charge for allegedly administering lethal levels of sedatives and anesthesia to Jackson in an effort to help him sleep.

The recording artist died at age 50 June 25, 2009. Jury selection for Murray's trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.

The Times said Murray's lawyers intend to call Jackson's longtime friends, medical professionals, the nanny to his three children and his make-up artist to testify the singer was a habitual prescription drug user in an effort to show Murray was not the only person making drugs available to Jackson.

"We're not interested in character assassination. If the prosecution would concede the Demerol addiction, it would greatly reduce the number of witnesses we need to call," the newspaper quoted defense attorney Edward Chernoff as saying.