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Jackson's death raises concerns

By Channel 4 News

Updated on 29 June 2009

As details emerge of singer Michael Jackson's post mortem, his father, Joe Jackson, says he has a "lot of concerns" over the events leading up to his son's death.

Joe Jackson (Credit: Reuters images)

The Sun newspaper is reporting that Michael Jackson weighed 8st 1oz and his stomach only contained partially dissolved pills when he died.

The newspaper also says that the autopsy findings state the "king of pop" had four injection marks near his heart, apparently from attempts to pump adrenalin into the organ in a bid to restart it.

Speaking at the Black Entertainment Television Awards, Joe Jackson, said he could not go into detail about his concerns, but the family's attorney announced that more would be said after the results of a second post mortem examination.

He added that the singer's children were the family's "first priority" and that he and Michael's mother, Katherine, had "authority for our son and his children". 

When questioned about Michael's funeral arrangements, Joe Jackson said: "We haven't got to that yet, we are working on that."

Edward Chernoff , the lawyer representing the singer's doctor, Conrad Murray, has denied he administered the drugs that contributed to his death.

"Dr Murray has never prescribed nor administered Demerol to Michael Jackson. Not ever. Not that day. Not OxyContin (either) for that matter."

It follows reports the singer received a shot of Demerol, a powerful painkiller, shortly before his death.

Mr Chernoff also discussed how his client found the dying Jackson.

"He just happened to find him in his bed and he wasn't breathing. Mr Jackson was still warm and had a pulse."

A spokeswoman for Mr Chernoff had earlier said Dr Murray was "in no way a suspect" after speaking to police officers in Los Angeles over the weekend.

She said the doctor, accompanied by Mr Chernoff, spoke to officers for three hours and "answered every and all questions asked by LAPD in an attempt to help piece together the mysteries surrounding the death of Michael Jackson".

She added: "During the meeting Dr Murray helped identify the circumstances around the death of the pop icon and clarified some inconsistencies.

"Dr Murray has been in Los Angeles since the death of Mr Jackson. He rode in the ambulance to the hospital and stayed at the hospital for hours comforting and consoling the Jackson family. Investigators say the doctor is in no way a suspect and remains a witness to this tragedy.

"Dr Murray will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities and asks that all keep the Jackson family in their prayers."

Los Angeles Police have confirmed they do not intend to speak to Dr Murray again but said their investigation was "ongoing".

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