Michael Jackson trial: Start delayed to September
A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge agreed Monday to push back the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson’s doctor until September.
Judge Michael Pastor made the ruling at the request of defense attorneys representing Dr. Conrad Murray.
The attorneys said they could not be ready for trial, which was set to begin with opening statements next week, because of eleventh-hour prosecution experts debunking their theory that the king of pop died by his own hand.
Prosecutors contended the latest medical experts proposed no new theories, and the defense caused the situation by invoking Murray’s right to a speedy trial.
They told the judge last week that one of their experts reached the conclusion that it would have been impossible for Jackson to have caused his own death by orally ingesting the drug propofol, an argument that defense attorneys made during preliminary hearings.
The 171 potential jurors who had filled out lengthy questionnaires about the case in March will be excused, and a new panel will be selected beginning Sept. 8, the judge said.
Pastor said the delay was necessary for “fundamental fairness.”
Murray has pleaded not guilty to causing his famous patient’s death by injecting him with propofol, a powerful surgical anesthetic, and leaving his bedside.
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-- Victoria Kim
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Dr Murray has juggled with crazy scenarii for too long. This, is not fair !
Posted by: Barbara | May 02, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Well, so much for the speedy trial. I thought Murray and team wanted a speedy trial due to fear of the Texas Medical Board taking action and also they were out of money. What's going on with that?
Very disappointing. And also expensive for the city.
Posted by: kristaly | May 02, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Where is the justice for Michael Jackson's family. I'm soo disappointed in the justice system in America. The wait is ridiculous, while Conrat Murray is a free man, walking around after taking the life of a vulnerable man.
Posted by: rita | May 02, 2011 at 12:05 PM
No! Not again! This slithering defense first asked for a speedy trial, then proposed that Michael Jackson ingested propofol himself and now when the prosecution sets about to prove that's not what happened - which surely any second grader would have known - all of a sudden they're not prepared for trial?? It's been almost 2 years since Michael died. If it takes this defense team this long to prepare for trial, perhaps they should consider another career path. It is also difficult to believe that the judge would have fallen for this stalling chicanery. My heart goes out to the Jackson family and all those who care about Michael who will once again have to painfully wait for closure...
Posted by: corlista | May 02, 2011 at 01:32 PM
The fact remains that it was Murray's responsibility to have this medication and his patients safety under his control at ALL times. It makes no difference how the medicine was given, the only thing that matters is that Murray was 100% responsible for making sure that this medicine was under his control and used safely, and he failed to do so. There is no getting around it. I'm sure these ridiculous defense arguments are being cooked up by Murray's malpractice insurer who realizes they will have to pay many millions in damages when Murray is convicted. I'm sure it is the insurance company advising him not to admit guilt and to carry out this ridiculous charade of innocence at the taxpayer's expense. I would also not be surprised if the manufacturers of Propofol don't have an interest in this case. If this case causes Propofol to be regulated as a controlled substance, they will see the robust sales of this drug drop. That an innocent man died doesn't matter to anyone, only profit, profit, profit. Sickening.
Posted by: ultravioletrae | May 02, 2011 at 02:36 PM
I seems to me that the defense is either incompetent or quite foolish to believe that the prosecution would not
challenge their 'blame the victim' self ingestion theory.
Of course they will challenge it; even a non legal person would assume that. Or... Perhaps they are wiley and manipulative and have decided it is in their best interest to delay testimony. I won't be surprised to hear more speculation....Jackson injected, ingested, was tired, fatigued, etc.etc. That doesn't seem to be working, so 4 months should be enough time to come up with something else...anything other than the basic fact that Murray is responsible for the death of his one patient. Shame on them for what has become a blatant fishing expedition and delay in justice.
Posted by: Layne | May 02, 2011 at 02:42 PM
I guess his Lawyers are as Incompetent as 'Doctor' Murray is. This is a joke, I thought he wanted a 'speedy' trial.
Also, how is a man who is over a million dollars in debt able to afford his high priced legal team.....
??????
Posted by: sc4551 | May 02, 2011 at 04:39 PM
"I guess his Lawyers are as Incompetent as 'Doctor' Murray is."
Nailed it.
Posted by: corlista | May 02, 2011 at 07:07 PM
The only "theories" have been put forward by the defense. Like Jackson was asleep under a powerful drug, Murray left the room, Jackson woke up and injected himself or swallowed more of the drug, Murray came back in 2 minutes later, found Jackson not breathing and waited 45 minutes to call paramedics. That's a "theory".
Posted by: Tom | May 02, 2011 at 07:17 PM
REALLY ??????????? What is this hold up ?
Plain & Simple ... The Doctor made a HUGE mistake , #1 - by ever breaking a Medical Oath & giving a person Dangerous & un ethical Medications NEVER to be used outside a Hospital setting.
This Dr. is a Cardioligist , he knew the risks , yet agreed to administering this propofol, & full well knowing the other meds Michael Jackson was on . Dangerous combinations no Dr. in his right mind would ever agree to give to any patient ! His lack of REAL Care .... & bennifit of Monetary rewards overrode his Ethical senses ! He is not to be a Trustworthy Human being , His dear patient unfortunately lost his life due to the Drs. unethical ways !
How long does it take to just admit THIS & take your licks ? He is GUILTY ! so why any more WASTE of Court Time to try to say differently ? The Doctor made a Big Mistake , Now the Doctor should do the TIME for that CRIME ! Its not fair M.J. lost his life in this manner ... Doc could have & SHOULD have NOT agreed to do this for M.J. His " OATH" is about Saving lives ... NOT to be a part of such an unethical job he did on M.J. A simple 2 letter word is what he was Suppose to be saying ..." NO ! " & be trying to help M.J. in Healthy ways , BUT he chose to be greedy & be unethical ! What is the hold up ? He belongs IN JAIL ! It was a Homicide wasnt it ! He dont deserve more time for anything ! For the Lame Judge that has moved this now to Sept. .... What are you thinking ! ( The Criminals have MORE Rights than the Victims , it always seems ! ) Something so wrong W/ that ! :(
Posted by: sue | May 02, 2011 at 10:35 PM
Its time the Jackson family has their closer ! This Unethical Doctor should be in Jail , doing time for the Crime he committed ! He is suppose to SAVE Lives ...NOT ... help destroy them !
Posted by: sue | May 02, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Murray's defense, of course, needs time to cone up with a new excuse for why Murray neglected his patient, allowed him to die, waited to call emergency services, tried to clean up the crime scene, neglected to mention the medications he gave the patient to the doctors at the medical center, and why Murray keeps changing his story. And, of course, it gives more time for Murray's PR team to plant more stories about how wonderful Murray is. It also gives the PR firm more time to dredge up old debunked stories negative to the victim in this case.
Posted by: ChrisB | May 03, 2011 at 04:27 AM