File photo of Michael Jackson with mother Katherine Jackson. (Image: AP)
Los Angeles:
Jury selection began on April 2 in a lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's mother against the promoter of the late pop star's planned comeback concerts.
Judge Yvette Palazuelos started proceedings by reading outthe allegations by Katherine Jackson and the late star'schildren, who are suing promoters AEG Live.
Opening lawyers' statements will only begin once a12-person jury is selected. "I would be surprised if it wasthis week," Brian Panish, a lawyer for the Jackson family,told AFP, referring to when the trial proper will start.
Katherine Jackson, 82, accuses AEG Live of negligentlyhiring doctor Conrad Murray to look after the King of Pop ashe rehearsed in Los Angeles for a doomed series of Londonshows.
Murray, jailed after being convicted of involuntarymanslaughter in 2011 for giving the singer an overdose of thesedative drug propofol, could be called to testify in thewrongful death case, although he may refuse to do so.
Katherine Jackson herself, as well as the late pop star'stwo elder children, will also give evidence in the trial. Itcomes nearly four years after his death and could last morethan two months.
Jury selection in the Los Angeles Superior Court wasdelayed for a few hours over a legal argument about televisioncoverage of the proceedings.
Broadcasters CNN pressed judge Palazuelos to allow livecoverage, noting that it was granted for the Murray trial twoyears ago. Their lawyers pressed her again today, after shedenied a CNN request on March 7.
"We want the truth to get out," said Panish.But a lawyer for the Jackson Estate, Patricia Millett,voiced concern over what would be revealed in open court,saying: "There is no public right of access to MichaelJackson's confidential medical records."
Jackson died aged 50 at his Los Angeles mansion on June25, 2009, from an overdose of propofol, a powerful sedativeadministered by Murray to help the "Thriller" legend deal withchronic insomnia.
At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a seriesof 50 shows in London, organised with Anschutz EntertainmentGroup in what was seen as an attempt to revive his career andalso ease his financial woes.
Jackson's mother argues that AEG Live pushed her son toohard to prepare for the performances. But AEG says Jackson hada history of drug abuse long before the singer met Murray, whowas hired to care for him before and during the shows atLondon's O2 Arena.
Judge Yvette Palazuelos started proceedings by reading outthe allegations by Katherine Jackson and the late star'schildren, who are suing promoters AEG Live.
Opening lawyers' statements will only begin once a12-person jury is selected. "I would be surprised if it wasthis week," Brian Panish, a lawyer for the Jackson family,told AFP, referring to when the trial proper will start.
Katherine Jackson, 82, accuses AEG Live of negligentlyhiring doctor Conrad Murray to look after the King of Pop ashe rehearsed in Los Angeles for a doomed series of Londonshows.
Murray, jailed after being convicted of involuntarymanslaughter in 2011 for giving the singer an overdose of thesedative drug propofol, could be called to testify in thewrongful death case, although he may refuse to do so.
Katherine Jackson herself, as well as the late pop star'stwo elder children, will also give evidence in the trial. Itcomes nearly four years after his death and could last morethan two months.
Jury selection in the Los Angeles Superior Court wasdelayed for a few hours over a legal argument about televisioncoverage of the proceedings.
Broadcasters CNN pressed judge Palazuelos to allow livecoverage, noting that it was granted for the Murray trial twoyears ago. Their lawyers pressed her again today, after shedenied a CNN request on March 7.
"We want the truth to get out," said Panish.But a lawyer for the Jackson Estate, Patricia Millett,voiced concern over what would be revealed in open court,saying: "There is no public right of access to MichaelJackson's confidential medical records."
Jackson died aged 50 at his Los Angeles mansion on June25, 2009, from an overdose of propofol, a powerful sedativeadministered by Murray to help the "Thriller" legend deal withchronic insomnia.
At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a seriesof 50 shows in London, organised with Anschutz EntertainmentGroup in what was seen as an attempt to revive his career andalso ease his financial woes.
Jackson's mother argues that AEG Live pushed her son toohard to prepare for the performances. But AEG says Jackson hada history of drug abuse long before the singer met Murray, whowas hired to care for him before and during the shows atLondon's O2 Arena.
