The “king of pop” told his tour director in the days leading up to his death that he had heard God’s voice, court testimony revealed.
Michael Jackson’s exact words, CNN reported: “God keeps talking to me.”
He died a few days later, in June 2009. Mr. Jackson was in the midst of training for a return tour, and by most accounts, he wasn’t feeling well.
A jury now is hearing testimony to determine whether the concert promoter, AEG Live, was liable for his death. Mr. Jackson’s mother and his three children filed the wrongful-death suit. Pictures presented at the hearing showed Mr. Jackson in an ill-fitting costume that highlighted his obvious emaciation, CNN reported.
The icon’s tour director, Kenny Ortega, and associate producer, Alif Sankey, said Mr. Jackson’s claim of hearing God’s voice caused them such angst they broke into tears during rehearsal, one testified at Wednesday’s hearing. Ms. Sankey also testified that she “had a very strong feeling that Michael was dying” and said, “He needs to be put in the hospital now,” CNN reported.
The lawsuit argues that AEG Live President Randy Phillips lied when he said he properly vetted Mr. Jackson’s doctor — the same doctor accused of crossing medical boundaries to keep the pop star performing. Jackson ultimately died from heart failure from a drug overdose.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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