Dr. Conrad Murray -- I 'Love' MJ's Mom

Doctor Conrad Murray claims it's been hard for him to watch Michael Jackson's mother Katherine grieve over the death of her son ... because he "loves" her like his own mother.

Murray was out shopping at Nordstrom in Santa Monica yesterday -- hopefully looking to replace the awful paisley tie he wore on the first day of his manslaughter prelim -- when he told photogs, "It's hard to see [Katherine] grieving ... I care about her as much as I care about my own mother."

Murray added, "I love her very much."

The Michael Jackson Prelim Fashion Report

The Jackson clan turned day 2 of the Conrad Murray/Michael Jackson manslaughter prelim into a couture runway show.

From Janet in Jermaine drag to Katherine's purple Barney suit

Joe Jackson Compromises Wrongful Death Claim

Joe Jackson may have just dug himself a hole to China during a TV appearance in Brazil ... by telling the host Michael Jackson "never supported me."

During the interview on "Hoje em Dia," the interviewer incorrectly said, you were being supported by Michael."  Joe responded, "No, he never supported me."

The statement flies in the face of his claim in the Michael Jackson Estate case ... that Michael did indeed support him -- which is why Joe asked for an allowance.

Even more serious for Joe, by admitting MJ never supported him, it could severely compromise his wrongful death lawsuit against Dr. Conrad Murray.  Joe's statement could severely limit his monetary claim, because now he can't show he lost money when Michael died.Michael didn't support his dad, but he gave Katherine $50,000 - $66,000 a month ... and she would then use that money to pay for Joe's living expenses.  

Michael also cut Joe out of his will.