Alon Steinberg
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Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami (internship, residency)
University of Miami (fellowship)
Alon Steinberg | |
|---|---|
| Education | University of Texas Medical Branch (M.D.) Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami (internship, residency) University of Miami (fellowship) |
| Known for | Expert witness in the 2011 trial of Conrad Murray |
| Medical career | |
| Profession | Cardiologist |
| Field | Cardiology |
| Institutions | Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura St. John's Regional Medical Center |
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]
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]
