Alon Steinberg
| Alon Steinberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| 🏫 Education | University of Texas Medical Branch (M.D.) Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami (internship, residency) University of Miami (fellowship) |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| Known for | Expert witness in the 2011 trial of Conrad Murray |
Alon A. Steinberg is a cardiologist and medical researcher. He serves as chief of cardiology at Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura in Ventura, California, and has conducted research on in-custody deaths and the physiology of prone restraint.
In 2011, Steinberg gained wider public attention as an expert witness for the prosecution in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Conrad Murray, testifying on the medical care of Michael Jackson prior to his death. He has worked with the Medical Board of California, reviewing cases concerning standards of care, and has also served as an expert witness in lawsuits involving law enforcement use of prone restraint.[1][2]
Education
Steinberg received his Doctor of Medicine from University of Texas Medical Branch.[3] He completed his medical internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital through the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.[4] In 1995, he completed his residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital.[5] He completed his fellowship at the University of Florida.[4]
Career
Steinberg is the chief of cardiology at Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura in Ventura, California.[1] He serves on the Medical Board of California, where he reviews cases for compliance with the standard of care.[6][7] He has been designated as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (F.A.C.C.).[4]
In May 2025, Steinberg co-authored a study published in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine titled "I can’t breathe" – A study of civil litigated cases on prone restraint deaths. The study, written with UCLA student Dhilan Patel and internal medicine specialist Dr. Amanda Frugoli, examined 229 cases of law enforcement-related prone restraint deaths in the United States over a 10-year period. It was in part a reaction to prior research suggesting that the prone restraint tactic is safe.[1][2]
Steinberg has spoken on prone restraint and in-custody deaths at meetings conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum, American Academy of Forensic Sciences, National Association of Medical Examiners, Institute for Prevention of In-Custody Deaths, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.[8]
Conrad Murray trial
Following the death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009,[9] Steinberg provided a review for the Medical Board of California of the care administered by Jackson's physician, Conrad Murray.[6][10] The review was based largely on Murray's own account as given in a two-hour interview with Los Angeles Police Department detectives.[9][11][12]
On October 12, 2011, Steinberg testified as an expert witness for the prosecution in the trial of Murray, who was charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection to Jackson's death.[13][14] Murray pleaded not guilty to delivering a lethal dose of propofol. Steinberg testified that Murray’s care fell significantly below the standard of care, citing "six separate and distinct extreme deviations."[7][15][16][17][18]
- Administering propofol for insomnia when it is meant for anaesthesia.
- Administering the medication outside of a monitored medical setting.
- Lack of emergency preparation, including additional medical personnel and equipment.
- No proper measures taken to revive Jackson when he stopped breathing.
- Failure to call for emergency help in a timely fashion.
- No proper keeping of records.
Steinberg further testified that, based on these deviations, the outcome was preventable, stating that "if [they] would not have happened, Mr. Jackson would have been alive."[11] Steinberg told the court that Murray made "a direct contribution to Michael Jackson's death."[12]
Following his testimony, Steinberg appeared on CNN multiple times to speak on his role in the Murray trial and later on the death of Whitney Houston. He was interviewed by Drew Pinsky and Piers Morgan.[19][20]
Selected publications
Articles
Steinberg has authored and co-authored peer-reviewed articles in the fields of cardiology and forensic medicine, including:
- Steinberg, A A; Mars, R L; Percy, R F (1998). "Effect of end-stage renal disease on decreased heart rate variability". The American Journal of Cardiology (published November 1, 1998). 82 (9): 1156–1158. doi:10.1016/s0002-9149(98)00580-3. PMID 9817506.
- Steinberg, Alon (2021). "Prone restraint cardiac arrest: A comprehensive review of the scientific literature and an explanation of the physiology". Medicine, Science and the Law (published February 25, 2021). 61 (3): 215–226. doi:10.1177/0025802420988370. PMID 33629624 Check
|pmid=value (help). - Weedn, Victor; Steinberg, Alon; Speth, Peter (2022). "Prone restraint cardiac arrest in in-custody and arrest-related deaths". Journal of Forensic Sciences. 67 (5). doi:10.1111/1556-4029.15101. PMC 9546229 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 35869602 Check|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - Weedn, Victor W; Steinberg, Alon; Speth, Peter (2025). "Did George Floyd Die of Cardioinhibition From Pressure on His Neck?". Academic Forensic Pathology (published March 29, 2025). 15 (3): 109–133. doi:10.1177/19253621251327721. PMC 11955988 Check
|pmc=value (help). PMID 40171072 Check|pmid=value (help). - Steinberg, Alon; Patel, Dhilan; Frugoli, Amanda (2025). ""I can't breathe" – A study of civil litigated cases on prone restraint deaths". Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine (published May 2025). 112. doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102862. PMID 40267726 Check
|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - Steinberg, Alon; Patel, Dhilan; Frugoli, Amanda (2025). "The final breath on prone restraint deaths: Response to promoting the prone position paranoia". Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine (published October 2025). 115. doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102982. PMID 41109741 Check
|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help) - Steinberg, Alon; Frugoli, Amanda (2025). "Mortality associated with in-custody prone restraint: A review". Forensic Science International (published December 2025). 377. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112652. PMID 40966928 Check
|pmid=value (help). Unknown parameter|article-number=ignored (help)
Letters
- Steinberg, Alon (2021). "Response to: Response to: Prone restraint cardiac arrest: A comprehensive review of the scientific literature and an explanation of the physiology". Medicine, Science and the Law (published June 22, 2021). 62 (1): 79–80. doi:10.1177/00258024211025226. PMID 34156870 Check
|pmid=value (help). - Steinberg, Alon (2021). "Response to: The prone position paradox". Medicine, Science and the Law (published November 3, 2021). 62 (3): 236–237. doi:10.1177/00258024211051544. PMID 34730061 Check
|pmid=value (help).
See also
- People v. Murray
- Death of Michael Jackson
- Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kisken, Tom (May 27, 2025). "Pinned to the ground: Ventura doctor's study explores deaths linked to police tactic". Ventura County Star. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Knox, Annie; Rivera, Daniella (October 25, 2022). "Police restraint under scrutiny after deaths of 2 Utahns held face-down in handcuffs". KSL.com. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- ↑ "Alon Steinberg, MD". Community Memorial Healthcare. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Alon A. Steinberg, MD, F.A.C.C". Cardiology Associates Medical Group. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ "Dr. Alon A. Steinberg, MD". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Barlow, Zeke (November 7, 2011). "Ventura doctor Alon Steinberg not surprised at Conrad Murray verdict". Ventura County Star. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Avila, Jim; Folmer, Kaitlyn; Hopper, Jessica (October 12, 2011). "Conrad Murray Trial: Michael Jackson Was 'Absolutely Savable,' Cardiologist Says". ABC News.
- ↑ 15 Principles for Reducing the Risk of Restraint-Related Death (PDF). Police Executive Research Forum. September 2024. ISBN 978-1-934485-78-1. Search this book on
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lloyd, Jonathan (October 12, 2011). "Cardiologist: Doctor's "Strange" Actions Led to Death of Michael Jackson". NBC4 Los Angeles.
- ↑ Toohey, Paul (October 13, 2011). "An expert cardiologist has said Dr Conrad Murray was responsible for Michael Jackson's death". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 ABC7 New York (October 12, 2011). "Conrad Murray trial: Experts say Murray was grossly negligent". ABC7. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Leithead, Alastair (October 13, 2011). "Jackson fans immersed in doctor's manslaughter trial". BBC News.
- ↑ Crimesider Staff (October 12, 2011). "Cardiology expert Dr. Alon Steinberg testifies in Jackson doc case". CBS News. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ The Associated Press (October 12, 2011). "Jackson doctor's defence drops claim singer swallowed drug". CBC. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- ↑ THR Staff (October 12, 2011). "Cardiologist Testimony Implicates Dr. Murray for Michael Jackson's Death". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Defence drops claim Jackson swallowed fatal dose". ABC.net.au. October 12, 2011.
- ↑ Duke, Alan (October 12, 2011). "Delay a factor in Michael Jackson's death, doctor says". CNN. Retrieved April 6, 2026.
- ↑ Kim, Victoria (October 13, 2011). "Murray's defense shifts strategies". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2021. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Dr. Drew - Latest on Conrad Murray's Trial". CNN Transcripts. October 14, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Piers Morgan Live - The Whitney Houston Investigation". CNN Transcripts. February 15, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
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