Michael Jackson Son, Prince, to Testify: 'It's a Lot' for 16-Year-Old
Michael Jackson lawyers revealed in court on Monday that the singer's 16-year-old son, Prince, will testify.
Jackson's family has filed suit against AEG, citing that the company failed to show proper concern for their client, pushing Jackson to continue on a tour when they were aware of his worsening condition. On Monday, lawyers announced that the next witness to take the stand would be Prince Jackson, who was 12 at the time of his father's death.
Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of Jackson's death. Prince, who will be the only one of Jackson's three kids to take the stand, will likely begin his testimony on Wednesday. Lawyers informed that Paris Jackson, 15, will not take the stand after a suicide attempt earlier this month.
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Chef Kai Chase testified last week that a lot of responsibility had been placed on Prince since the death of his father.
"The weight of the world is on his shoulders, the eldest, big brother and father figure to his siblings," Chase said. "It's a lot for him, growing, liking girls. He wishes his father was here to give him advice. It's devastating to him."
In an expert testimony last week it was revealed that the propofol infusions that Dr. Conrad Murray issued to Jackson during the planning days of his tour may have deprived the singer of full REM sleep cycles for at least 60 days. Propofol interferes with the regular sleeping cycle, leaving those who take it feeling rested although they have received no REM sleep, Dr. Charles Czeisler, a Harvard Medical School sleep expert said during testimony transcribed by CNN, in the suit filed by Jackson's family against AEG Live.
"It would be like eating some sort of cellulose pellets instead of dinner," Czeisler told the courtroom. "Your stomach would be full and you would not be hungry, but it would be zero calories and not fulfill any of your nutrition needs."
Jackson's behavior prior to his death suggests that the pop singer had been deeply deprived of sleep. His reactions were slow, he suffered an inability to remember lyrics to his own songs, and he was easily agitated amongst other qualities that suggest the singer was not getting any sleep.
