Jacko’s doctor hopes to escape manslaughter trial

A preliminary hearing into the death of Michael Jackson was due to begin today in Los Angeles to decide whether the singer’s doctor should stand formal trial for involuntary manslaughter. LA Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will hear evidence from the prosecution that Dr Conrad Murray was responsible for the death of Jackson on the night of June 25, 2009.
 
While Murray admits administering Jackson with the anaesthetic propofol to help him sleep, he says it was a small dose and not enough to kill the 50-year-singer. There will be no defence evidence during the hearing – expected to last up to two weeks – but 30 witnesses are expected to testify before Judge Pastor, with prosecutors arguing that propofol is a powerful drug suitable for use only in hospitals under strict supervision. They will accuse Murray of recklessness in administering the drug to Jackson at his home.
 
Though none of the Jackson family will be called to give evidence during the preliminary hearing, it is believed they will be present to listen to proceedings in the hope the case will go to a full trial. If that happens - as some Los Angeles legal experts believe it will - Murray’s defence team will reportedly claim that Jackson accidentally overdosed on propofol after injecting himself with another dose when the doctor momentarily left his side to go to the lavatory.

At the time of his death Jackson was rehearsing for his ‘This Is It’ concerts in London, which he hoped would revitalise his ailing career. He was known to be finding the preparations and rehearsals arduous and Murray was hired to monitor his health.

According to celebrity website TMZ.com, one of the prosecution’s key witnesses in the forthcoming hearing will be the tour producer Kenny Ortega. TMZ alleges that five days before Jackson’s death a meeting was held at the singer’s home at which his poor health and its effect on rehearsals were discussed.

The meeting was allegedly "intense, loud and argumentative" and TMZ says Ortega will tell the court that Murray said some "terrible things" about Jackson that revealed a lack of concern for his welfare. If Murray is convicted of involuntary manslaughter he could be jailed for up to four years. ·