A key court hearing detailing the manslaughter charges against Michael Jackson's personal physician has been pushed back to January
A Los Angeles judge set a January 4 date for a preliminary hearing that will give the first official public details of the charges against Dr. Conrad Murray.
The hearing had been expected later this year but the judge said there were issues regarding the availability of witnesses and the ongoing investigation into Jackson's death.
Dr. Murray has admitted giving the "Thriller" singer a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid before he died at his rented Los Angeles home in June 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and is free on $75,000 bail.
The physician's defence team asked on Monday for permission to re-test three samples obtained from syringes and an intravenous drip.
The January 4 preliminary hearing is expected to take 2-3 weeks and will require both prosecutors and Murray's defence team to produce their evidence.
A judge will rule at that time if there are sufficient grounds for a full-scale trial.
About two dozen Jackson fans waved banners outside the court calling for "Justice for MJ" and demanding that Murray be charged with murder.
Jackson's parents Katherine and Joe Jackson also attended the brief hearing.
Jackson died on June 25 2009 and officials have said he died principally because of propofol, as well as sedatives, painkillers and other drugs.
The judge in the case ruled controversially earlier this year that Murray could keep his California medical license while the case goes through the courts, saying he did not have the authority to suspend it.
Jackson doctor case delayed to next year
A key court hearing detailing the manslaughter charges against Michael Jackson's personal physician has been pushed back to January
A Los Angeles judge set a January 4 date for a preliminary hearing that will give the first official public details of the charges against Dr. Conrad Murray.
The hearing had been expected later this year but the judge said there were issues regarding the availability of witnesses and the ongoing investigation into Jackson's death.
Dr. Murray has admitted giving the "Thriller" singer a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol as a sleep aid before he died at his rented Los Angeles home in June 2009. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and is free on $75,000 bail.
The physician's defence team asked on Monday for permission to re-test three samples obtained from syringes and an intravenous drip.
The January 4 preliminary hearing is expected to take 2-3 weeks and will require both prosecutors and Murray's defence team to produce their evidence.
A judge will rule at that time if there are sufficient grounds for a full-scale trial.
About two dozen Jackson fans waved banners outside the court calling for "Justice for MJ" and demanding that Murray be charged with murder.
Jackson's parents Katherine and Joe Jackson also attended the brief hearing.
Jackson died on June 25 2009 and officials have said he died principally because of propofol, as well as sedatives, painkillers and other drugs.
The judge in the case ruled controversially earlier this year that Murray could keep his California medical license while the case goes through the courts, saying he did not have the authority to suspend it.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos