An expert on the drug blamed in the death of Michael Jackson was back in court Wednesday for a hearing regarding his testimony during the trial of the superstar's personal physician.
Special Section: Dr. Conrad Murray Trial
Dr. Paul White was fined $250 Wednesday. White deliberately referenced banned testimony during the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, said Judge Michael Pastor.
The testimony involved conversations between White and Murray. Pastor, who initially considered a $1,000 sanction, issued an order that White was not to testify on anything he learned from speaking with the Houston-based cardiologist.
The judge also considered, but did not take action regarding, comments White allegedly made to a reporter during testimony from the prosecution's propofol expert. White allegedly said, "What a scumbag," as Dr. Steven Shafer testified, E! Entertainment reported.
Pastor had considered a $1,000 fine.
"Any fine at all is inappropriate," said White outside court. "It's not that I can't pay 250, but I didn't think I did anything wrong. I tried to avoid things I was not supposed to say in court, namely things I acquired during my conversations with Dr. Murray. I was astounded by the response."
During his testimony, White told jurors that Jackson self-injected a fatal dose of the drug on June 25, 2009. It was part of an effort to blame the pop star for his own death at a rented Holmby Hill mansion.
Prosecutors argued that Murray administered the fatal dose and failed to properly monitor his superstar patient.
Outside court Wednesday morning, White was asked to share his thoughts on the trial.
"My honest thoughts? Enlightening. Disappointing," he said with his attorney by his side. "I'm glad it's over.
"I was brought up a certain way to believe the justice system works, and I tried to be honest in court. The experience was one I would never want to repeat or recommend to my colleagues."
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Murray committed errors, but his actions were not those of a criminal, White said. The case should have been handled by a medical board, not the criminal courts, White added.
He also was asked whether being allowed to testify about his conversations with Murray would have made a difference in the trial. Murray did not take the stand in his own defense.
"I would have advised Murray to take the stand, myself, because I think there's information that didn't get presented," he said. "His information would have been enlightening to the jury."
White is one of three people involved in the trial who have been called back before the judge. On Tuesday, a Jackson fan apologized for taking a photo in the courthouse hallway and posting the image to Facebook.
The judge accepted the apology and said no action would be taken against her.
The judge also wanted to hear from a member of Murray's defense team Tuesday, but attorney Matt Alford failed to show up for the hearing. Alford conducted an interview outside the courtroom during the trial, which prompted Pastor to warn attorneys against such interviews.
Alford's secretary left a message for the court that he was at a trial in Houston. His hearing was rescheduled to Nov. 29 -- the same day Murray is expected to be sentenced for his Nov. 7 involuntary manslaughter conviction in the death of Jackson.
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