This Is Why You Should Almost Never Talk To The Police

From TMZ.com, 10/13/11:

Dr. Conrad Murray would NOT be on trial today for Michael Jackson's death ... had he politely declined to speak with cops 2 days after MJ passed ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

Sources directly connected with the decision to prosecute Murray tell TMZ ... Murray's 2-hour interview with LAPD detectives at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey gave prosecutors the ammo to charge the doc.

Our sources all say, prosecutors almost declined to file the case, but the police interview made all the difference.

We're told ... police and prosecutors believe they never would have been able to prove Dr. Murray administered Propofol to Jackson almost every day for 2 months, were it not for Murray volunteering the info. The case hinges on Murray's alleged reckless medical treatment, and prosecutors believe administering the drug in a home setting for that period of time proves recklessness.

And, our law enforcement sources say, cops could never have proven that Murray pumped a total of 5 gallons of Propofol through MJ's system were it not for the interview.

But there's something even more fundamental. We're told it became apparent to detectives shortly after Murray's interview that the doctor wasn't telling the whole truth. As one law enforcement source put it, "He told the truth 70% of the time during the interview, and lied 30% of the time. And the lies created the suspicion that led to the investigation that led to charges being filed."

The real question -- why did Murray volunteer to speak with cops and spill his guts? As one source put it, "Murray and his lawyer never thought he'd be charged with a crime. He was worried about the bad P.R. and felt he could put a lid on it." And another source added, "smart people who are arrogant think they can talk to cops and make a problem go away, but it doesn't work that way."

An Open Letter to the 10th Man -- The City of Philadelphia -- to be read Friday morning (cue the Rocky theme song):

Phillies fans, this is YOUR time to shine.

Our Phillies have given us so many moments to be proud to wear pinstripes. The World Series victory in 2008 exorcised 28 years of demons. We watched in awe as Brad Lidge went down to his knees and thanked the baseball Gods for finally bringing a Championship to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Phillies came close again in 2009, but fell just short. Last year, our dreams were crushed when we were blindsided by a streaking team that could not be denied.

We have celebrated the highest of highs with our Phillies, and we have wept with them as we faced stinging defeat.

But Phillies Fans, know this:

2011 is OUR year NOT to be denied.

We have the BEST PITCHING STAFF in baseball. Tonight we have the BEST PITCHER in baseball on OUR bump…..at our ballpark. The loudest, rockin’est, best ballpark in the country.

This is why we won 102 games – more than any other team in baseball. We have home field advantage. Now, we are back on OUR turf.

And this means the difference will be YOU.

10^th Man, we need to show our team that NO FANS mean more to their team than Phillies Fans. Tonight, YOU will be the difference. Tonight, YOU will carry the Phillies on your backs. Tonight, the field and the stands are ONE.

We STAND WITH our Phillies. And we will NOT be denied. Not in OUR hometown, not in OUR ballpark, not on OUR turf.

This is OUR NIGHT.