Jacksons welcome homicide ruling

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The Los Angeles County Coroner said that the pop star's homicide was the result of "acute propofol intoxication".

It is a move that could lead to criminal charges being made against his personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, who is known to have administered the powerful sedative.

Dr Murray's lawyer responded to the ruling by claiming that the timing of the release smacked of police "gamesmanship" adding that he would not comment on the findings until the release of a full toxicology report.

According to the coroner's report, the main cause of death was an overdose of the anaesthetic propofol. The effect of the psychoactive drug benzodiazepine also contributed to Jackson's demise, it stated.

Alongside propofol and the benzodiazepine lorazepam, investigators found a cocktail of other drugs including diazepam and ephedrine in the singer's system.

Under US law, homicide could refer to murder or negligent or reckless manslaughter.

In a brief statement, the Jackson family commended the actions of the coroner, the Los Angeles Police Department and other law enforcement agencies. It added that the family "looks forward to the day that justice can be served".

In his response, Dr Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff said the official verdict was nothing new given "leaks out of the coroner's office".

He added: "One has to wonder why the coroner felt compelled to release anything at all if the police investigation is not yet complete. In any case, this has all the earmarks of police gamesmanship, and we will not be responding until we get a full autopsy report."