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October 4, 2011

JVM: Girlfriend/actress gives performance of a lifetime

Posted: 09:31 PM ET

Commentary by Jane Velez-Mitchell, host of "Issues" on HLN

As soon as it was uttered, we all knew the word of the day for the 6th day of the Conrad Murray trial: "instrument." As in, 'my body is my instrument.' This bombshell testimonial came from one of the married defendant’s numerous girlfriends, an actress by the name of Nicole Alvarez.

“As a professional actress my daily duties consist of maintaining my instrument, going on several castings throughout town, meeting with several casting directors," Alvarez said.

It struck me that the pretty, seemingly outgoing and somewhat inappropriately cheerful witness –with the highly toned, bare arms – might actually be using the occasion of her nationally televised testimony in the case of Michael Jackson’s death to audition for some potential casting director out there who might be watching.

It was the answer to the prosecutor’s follow-up question that provoked the guffaws. “When you referred to an instrument, what are you referring to?” Nicole’s response? “Myself. As an actor, your instrument is yourself.”

There is a saying: tell me who you walk with and I’ll tell you who you are. The uniformly attractive female friends of Dr. Murray, who took the stand in swift succession -a cluster clearly designed to send the jury a message- have a shared history of exotic dancing, with the exception of Houston cocktail waitress Sade Anding.  It was Sade who was talking with Dr. Murray on the phone when, according to her testimony, the doctor seemed to let go of the phone and she overheard a commotion, punctuated by coughing and unidentified voices.

It was at that moment that prosecutors believe Michael Jackson went into arrest and began dying. That moment came at 11:57 a.m. but phone records indicate that 911 was not called for about 20 more minutes.

Why the delay? And why did Dr. Murray, who E.R. doctors described as "frantic" and desperate to revive his superstar patient, fail to tell the doctors around him the truth: that he had given Jackson propofol, a surgical knockout drug that is never supposed to be administered in a home setting and is not supposed to be used as a sleep aid. That was kept a secret.

Trials are one of the few venues in our culture where closely held secrets are spilled. And in this trial, the secret life of Dr. Conrad Murray, who had his seventh child with Nicole Alvarez even as he remains married to his second wife, have been spilled in a riveting cascade of evidence and testimony.

And given that his is all happening in Hollywood, it’s very possible Nicole Alvarez did impress a casting agent with her performance on the stand.

Complete coverage of the Conrad Murray trial live on HLN from gavel to gavel and on In Session from 9a to 3p ET every week day.

Posted by:
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Michael Jackson • Opinion • Witnesses


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PurplePt   October 4th, 2011 10:12 pm ET

Wow! What an odd person. Was she flirting with the jury? Did she keep smiling at CM?


wendy   October 4th, 2011 10:19 pm ET

Seriously people, what does a doctor do with a severe druggie of so many years. Conrad was attempting to get this guys dream of performing again to happen but when a skinny , drug abused older person who lacks energy and health still can not function without drugs achieving success is unlikely. Jackson was a very stressed, person under a lot of pressure who literally was unable to sleep due to drug and mind issues. Whatever Conrad gave him was far less than what Jackson had taken drug wise in the past and as he said , Jackson was dehydrated enough that he needed intravenous fluids, what does that tell you ? the guy lived on drugs alone and conrads job was impossible to begin with. Jackson was in psychological and physical withdrawl and extreme stress and as the defense said it wasnt the drugs that killed him it was the lack of them.. I think personally Jackson overdosed on his own and had given up as he didn.t have the endrance to really do the shows and he knew it. He needed a nurse maid for years to really get him healthy so like where was his loving family in all of this over the past year???


Grandpa halfdime   October 4th, 2011 11:29 pm ET

Don't look for me at her debut, I thought she sucked!


venus sutherland   October 5th, 2011 4:20 am ET

I am so hurt that Michael's gone! Murry had dollar signs in his eyes and woman's behinds on his mind! I don't believe Michael got up and administered another dose, but if he did, where was murry? He was the only one there and he was suppose to be monitoring Michael! When murrysaw him in distress, he should've dialed 911. Murry is a liar and a dog! I have no sympathy for him. He's guilty


Becky Hall   October 5th, 2011 7:44 am ET

Where/who is Conrad Murrays wife????


Mamie Darden   October 5th, 2011 8:00 am ET

What prompted first security to call 2nd security (head of logistic) to walk toward front door of MJ's house, and then speed up? Appears he had some insight not yet told. Was that room wired for audio without MJ's knowledge?

Who and how was Diprivan bottle placed in IV bag without contaminating fluid, how was it to be released in solution? No mention of any tubing and an additional opening in bottle for its release. Did pharmacy rig this contraption? If so why, knowing how med is administered properly?

What was Murray's plan in taping MJ? Had he planned to make money latter on recording or blackmail MJ with it since his negotion for a higher salary was declined?

There are a few words in recording that sound typical of West Indian dialect. Sounds like Murray recorded himself and not voice of a younger person. Seem to me no matter a oerson was drugged or otherwise impaired it would have some characteristics at some point of that person. MJ had a higher pitched and at time girlie voice.


Louise   October 5th, 2011 8:48 am ET

Nicole will certainly need to continue to work on her Instrument in order to pay that $2,000 + a month condo after boyfriend adultress man goes to prison. Wonder if any of her girlfriends will visit him in prison.


Paul   October 5th, 2011 9:19 am ET

Did anyone notice Nicole Alvarez's eyes, there was one closeup where heer eyes were completely bloodshot combined with herattitude on the stand seems she was on some sort of drug. She was truly very pleased to have the platform and played right into the camera to make the most of her 15 minutes of fame.


George   October 5th, 2011 11:45 am ET

Why is it I get the impression of Nicole and her "Instrument" that she is an actress in the "Porn" side of being an actress!


Meg lowden   October 5th, 2011 12:54 pm ET

ODD, that Alvarez was so excited about meeting Michael Jackson and so adoring and awe-struck about MJ..... does she realize her boyfriend Conrad Murray is responsible for the death of her idol?
..


Diana   October 5th, 2011 2:00 pm ET

It is disturbing that a 29 yr old mother would not have enough compassion and just common sense to have some discretion on the stand. Michael's family was sitting right in front of her – he left 3 children behind – sickening that she seemed more interested in posturing and getting her 15 minutes. When ever she gets through, she's a stripper living off a married man twice her age – nothing she should be flouncing around about.


Robin   October 5th, 2011 2:42 pm ET

I don't understand why Dr. Murray would even tape a conversation like that. Obviously he is as limited when it comes to technology as he is as a supposed cardiologist. Anyone knows that the more complex the phone the more traceable the activity on it is even after information has been deleted. This guy is a Joke!!!!!!!!


Robin   October 5th, 2011 3:33 pm ET

I think Dr. Murray taped that conversation of MJ just in case something went wrong, so he could then say see he was under the influence on his own. That tape sickened me!!!!!


Robin   October 5th, 2011 3:42 pm ET

Dr. Murray didn't want MJ to have a blood test because he knew what they would find in his blood. Remember everyone it was a secret that MJ was being given Propofol to help with his insomnia. Look at the facts and it is plain to see that Dr. Murray was grossly negligent and totally unequipped to deal with the drug he was administering.


Robin   October 5th, 2011 4:04 pm ET

I think playing the tape was a good move on the part of the prosecution. It directly reflects the attitude and nonchalant behavior of doctor Murray and the seriousness of the situation he was dealing with. Why would you tape your patient in a state like that. What could possibly be the reasoning behind it? In case something went wrong? To use it against him later down the road? Lets not forget this man didn't even call 911 instead he went and asked a CHEF to go get security and MJ's child!!! The voice on that 911 call should have been Dr. Murray, Not the guards, not the chef, not you or me but HIM period. End Of Story!!!! He would be better off to just admit he messed up and suffer the consequences. He claimed MJ was his friend, well if that is the case honor your friend and admit your mistake.


Absynthe   October 5th, 2011 4:31 pm ET

If you check the records, Michael's organs were all healthy and drug free, except for what he was given by Murray.

I do believe that Murray ripped open the bag, dumped the bottle within, as he was making attempts to hide drugs he'd ordered for Michael.

I'm surprised that Michael didn't have an infection from the condom catheter, but guess that doesn't matter now.

As for the recording, it sure sounds like Murray drunk to me, not Michael's voice, which is higher pitched in sound, and could be mistaken for a girl.


Debbie   October 5th, 2011 5:43 pm ET

As much as I loved MJ music, I can believe he was very addicted to all sort of drugs. This happen long before Conrad came into the picture. He was running out of Dr's who would precribe him all the medications he wanted. He avoided his family, because had they would have known they would have intervene. In fact I did hear that they did try to see him, but with his so tight security, they couldn't get to him. I really wished that
Conrad wouldn't hadn't gotten himself involved with MJ. The moment he found out what trouble MJ was in, he should have resign. I believe MJ did exactly what Conrad said he did. I believe MJ, took more drugs and propofol, that is the reason he wasn't laying in the bed as Conrad left him. Conrad is not guilty of the murder of Michael Jackson.I don't care about anyone elses opionion. This is mines only.


angel lumbreras   October 5th, 2011 11:44 pm ET

dr conrad murray should be ashamed of him self for doing that to michael jackson conrad is a pieace of hit and a poor exscuse for a cardiologist he needs to suffer for killing michael


deborah lundy   October 6th, 2011 1:39 pm ET

I am a nurse and this morning they were argueing over a IV bag that had clear liquid in it. there could have been a rider used to administer the medicine it is a small bag that will attach to the main line..


Scadap   October 6th, 2011 3:23 pm ET

she sure put on a big performance for the jury as she gets on the stand smiling from ear to ear showing how sassy, cocky n golddiggerish ways...looking for a big break being that her baby father is going down she needs benifits to support her, her son n bills smh make u go ummm!


jag   October 8th, 2011 3:13 pm ET

What? Dr. Murry didn't have a watch to tell what time it was... Even school bus drivers are required to have a time piece just in case a child should have a seizure...That just isn't rite!!!!! Come on doc you can afford target watch at least!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1


windyblue   October 13th, 2011 3:45 pm ET

From all the professionals in the medical field that has taken the stand, Dr Murray is dead in the water with NO oars. the defense, has nothing. And the pictures of MJ shown on TV should NOT be shown.
That is just for a court room. Not for the public to see.
And DR, Murray did zero to help MJ. Except drug him up.
and Dr, Murray knowing that MJ had a drug problem should never gave MJ any drugs.


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