Elvis Presley's Dr. Nick speaks about Dr. Conrad Murray trial

Doctors to 'The Kings': Presley's Dr. Nick on Conrad Murray: MyFoxMEMPHIS.com

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The trial continues for Dr. Conrad Murray, the personal physician of Michael Jackson, charged with the involuntary manslaughter of the pop icon.

Jackson's bodyguard was the first person to reach Jackson's bedroom after Dr. Murray urgently called for help. He testified that he was told by Dr. Murray to hide medicine vials before calling 911. The prosecution is using this testimony to argue Murray delayed calling 911 in order to cover up evidence that he was giving Jackson Propofol, a surgical anesthetic drug.

The mysterious circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Michael Jackson has drawn numerous comparisons to the unexpected death of another musical icon 34 years ago. But, Elvis Presley's former personal physician, George Nichopoulos, said the medical treatment and care given both men were far different.

One was the acclaimed King of Rock N' Roll, the other was the recognized King of Pop. But besides their individual musical greatness, both Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson were tortured victims of their own excesses, including extensive drug use.

"We have those reports, each one of them saying Elvis Presley died of polypharmacy - that is massive does of different drugs in his system," then Shelby County Commissioner Vasco Smith stated in 1993.

Dr. Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, stated, "Michael Jackson swallowed eight 2 milligram Lorazepam pills. A dose of Propofol that with the Lorazepam created a perfect storm in his body that killed him instantly."

The current trial examining the role of Jackson's hired physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, in Jackson's 2010 drug-induced death is drawing comparisons, whether fair or not, to Presley's 1977 death and his unique doctor/patient relationship for 11 years with former personal physician Dr. George Nichopoulos. In a telephone conversation on Thursday, the fabled "Dr. Nick" said he didn't see any similarities between the medical treatments given to Presley and Jackson.

Nichopoulos questions the hired Murray's motivation for care and concern for his patient. "He was after the money… I wouldn't think it'd be murder; I think it's a stretch in that regard. I think it's malpractice."

Nichopoulos himself was no stranger to controversy when it came to being accused of over-prescribing addictive pain-killing drugs to his patients, including Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. Just years after Presley's death, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners, in acquitting him of any medical wrongdoing in Presley's demise, did suspend his license for three months.

In 1995, Nichopoulos faced sanctions again for prescribing pain medicine and his license was revoked, despite the public support of patients and friends.

"I feel in my heart he is being persecuted in this situation," said Presley's friend and "Dr. Nick" supporter, George Klein, in 1994.

"Medicine doesn't have the fun that medicine had a few years ago," Nichopoulos said in 1994. "Now there's so much government in it. So much paperwork, it takes a lot out of it."

Now in his '80's, Nichopoulos, who wrote a book about his relationship with Elvis last year, believes Dr. Murray committed a number of mistakes, especially in regards to treating Jackson's alleged sleeping problem and the patient's access to powerful drugs.

"I've never used this drug. I don't think we had it around when I was practicing. But, you can't leave the room when you're trying to put somebody to sleep," he said. "Michael Jackson had his medicine in his room… I never let Elvis keep medicine in his room. I had a nurse there with him who controlled his medication, kept it in her trailer. She didn't give him anything unless she checked with me first."