Another Jackson-Related Search as Charges Appear Imminent

Coroner official picks up more medical files from King of Pop's dermatologist office as reports swirl that formal charges are imminent

By Gina Serpe, Ashley Fultz, Lindsay Miller Aug 19, 2009 8:10 PMTags
Michael Jackson, Dr. Arnold KleinPool Photographer/Getty Images, Sgranitz/Getty Images

This is one office visit for which the doctor may be charged. Make that, doctors.

Capping off weeks of investigations into Michael Jackson's death, an investigator from the Los Angeles County Coroner's office resurfaced at the Beverly Hills practice of longtime dermatologist (and sperm bequeather) Dr. Arnold Klein today with search warrant in hand.

The specifics of the warrant have yet to be made public. But it appears that, under the watchful gaze of Klein's attorney, the official collected more medical files relating to Jackson's treatment history—or as they may soon be known: Exhibit A.

The latest move comes after a Fox News report that Klein and YouTube-friendly Dr. Conrad Murray will both be arrested within the next two weeks on charges relating to the King of Pop's death.

Murray, long identified as the target of investigators' efforts and will likely face manslaughter charges. Law enforcement sources told Fox News that Murray's arrest could come as soon as next Wednesday, but probably not until one more search, possibly of a Los Angeles pharmacy, is carried out.

He is reportedly being given the option of surrendering himself in Los Angeles, or be arrested in Houston, where he has been holed up.

Klein, meanwhile, is potentially facing a medical malpractice count, per the report. When investigators first visited Klein's office in July, his lawyer issued a statement claiming Klein "was not a subject of the investigation into the death of his treasured friend and patient, Michael Jackson."

LAPD officials would not comment on the Fox News report—not even to debunk it. A spokeswoman for Murray brushed it off as nothing more than gossip fodder.

"It's just another one of those rumors," she told E! News.

Meanwhile, she also took time out to dismiss other false reports circulating online and defend Murray's decision to post his video thank you to supporters earlier this week.

"It's the only forum he had. He couldn't thank all the people individually. Twenty or thirty people call me each day, and people call with concerns. They're hearing all these awful rumors on the internet that Dr. Murray is depressed, suicidal. He wanted to set the record straight."

And why he didn't push harder in the minute-long video to prove his innocence?

"It wasn't the forum for him to display his defense," she said. "It was to thank his supporters."

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