The Los Angeles Coroner has ruled Michael Jackson’s death a homicide, according to the Associated Press.  Such a finding makes it more likely that criminal charges are forthcoming against Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor who was with the pop star when he died on June 25, 2009.  The designation of homicide in California means that Jackson died at the hands of another, but does not necessarily mean a crime was commiteed.

Forensic evidence confirmed that the powerful anesthetic Propofol acting with at least two other strong sedatives caused Jackson’s death.

Dr. Murray said he’d been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks with 50 milligrams of Propofol every night via an intravenous drip. But he said he feared Jackson was forming an addiction to the anesthetic, which is normally used in hospitals only, and was attempting to wean his patient by lowering the dose to 25 milligrams and adding the sedatives Lorazepam and Midazolam.  It was the combination of these sedatives acting together that caused the singer’s death.