As the defense begins to make their case in the Conrad Murray trial, a witness broke down during her testimony after becoming overwhelmed with emotion. INSIDE EDITION reports from the courthouse.
There was drama at the Dr. Conrad Murray manslaughter trial when a witness for the defense was so overcome by emotion she said she couldn't continue.
"This is just very sensitive for me," said the witness.
"I don't want to hear anymore about that," said the judge.
Judge Michael Pastor called a halt to the trial for 20 minutes while nurse Cherilyn Lee regained her composure. She then testified, sometimes dabbing away tears, how Michael Jackson begged her for the powerful anesthetic Propofol to help him sleep.
"He looked at me and he said, 'I have a lot of difficulty sleeping. I've tried everything, and what I need is something that's going to help me fall asleep right away," said Lee.
The courtroom drama comes as Dr. Murray's defense is trying to paint a picture for the jury of a Michael Jackson so desperate for sleep he'd do anything to get it. The defense strategy is to try to shift the blame for Michael Jackson's death to Jackson himself.
HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell told INSIDE EDITION, "It could very easily backfire because there are Michael Jackson fans on the jury who might be offended that Dr. Conrad Murray, after all the reckless behavior that's he's exhibited, then goes one step further and now tries to blame the victim. It could boomerang on the defense."
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson's family arrived at court in a brave show of solidarity.
INSIDE EDITION's Jim Moret asked mom Katherine Jackson, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine," replied Katherine.
Janet Jackson, alongside brother Randy, postponed her Australian concert tour so she could hear the first full day of Murray's defense.
Moret asked La Toya Jackson her reaction to what she's hearing in court.
"Is it painful knowing the defense is putting Michael on trial?" askjed Moret.
"Yes, it is. Very," replied La Toya.
In Tuesday's testimony, the nurse fought back tears as she told a hushed courtroom how Michael Jackson felt when he took Propofol, the drug that would kill him.
Lee told the court, "He said, 'I know this will knock me out. As soon as it gets into my vein, I am knocked out and I'm asleep.' "
