Jackson's death ruled a homicide

HOUSTON (AP) - A law enforcement official involved in the investigation of pop star Michael Jackson's death tells the Associated Press that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled Jackson's death a homicide.

The finding makes it more likely criminal charges will be filed against the doctor who was with the pop star when he died. The official says the coroner determined a fatal combination of drugs was given to Jackson hours before he died in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the findings have not been publicly released.

Forensic tests found the powerful anesthetic propofol in Jackson's system along with two sedatives, the official says. Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal physician, is the target of a manslaughter probe headed by Los Angeles police.

A search warrant affidavit for Murray's office, unsealed Monday, said Murray told a Los Angeles police officer he administered several drugs to Jackson the day he died, including 25 milligrams of the sedative, which he gave intravenously. Murry was being paid by Jackson to serve as his doctor while Jackson prepared for his come-back tour. However, Murry did not have a license to administer drugs in the state of California, according to Drug Enforcement Administration sources.

The affidavit says Murray never ordered, purchased or received any of the propofol but that the doctor found about eight bottles of it in Jackson's home along with numerous other vials and pills.

KATU also has discovered that the doctor left Jackson unsupervised -- instead reporting calling his own friends and family -- after giving Jackson an injection of the propofol drug. U.S. law on propofol drug use requires that those administering the drug must be present throughout the procedure and be completely dedicated to that task.

According to scientific studies of the drug, "this highly lipophilic agent has a fast onset and short, predictable duration of action due to its rapid penetration of the blood-brain barrier and distribution to the CNS, followed by redistribution to inactive tissue depots such as muscle and fat."

This drug typically is by an an anesthesiologist to "put people under" before and during surgery. Jackson reportedly was using it just to get some rest.