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Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray to stand trial today
Published Tuesday, Sep 27 2011, 07:00 BST | By Rebecca Davies | Add comment
Michael Jackson's personal doctor is scheduled to stand trial on Tuesday.
Dr Conrad Murray, who treated the 'Thriller' singer shortly before his death in June 2009, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He could face up to four years in prison if found guilty.
Last Friday, a jury of seven men and five women was selected from almost 400 people. Each potential juror had to complete a 30-page questionnaire about Jackson and the media coverage from when he died.
Six of the chosen panelists are Caucasian, five are Hispanic and one is African-American. Their professions range from a bus driver to a paralegal.
Murray has been accused of administering the sedative Propofol to Jackson after finding him unconscious at his home, but the trial will determine whether his actions actually caused the entertainer's death.
Legal analyst Steven Cron told BBC News: "We're finally going to get a full airing of all the facts. In order to be guilty of a crime one has to be grossly negligent, not just minimally negligent, and that's what they're trying to prove."
Murray's defence team reportedly requested to use footage from Jackson's This Is It documentary to support his claims that the singer was unwell in the lead-up to his death, but the request was thrown out by Judge Michael Pastor.
Watch a trailer for Michael Jackson's This Is It below:
Dr Conrad Murray, who treated the 'Thriller' singer shortly before his death in June 2009, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He could face up to four years in prison if found guilty.
© Rex Features
© Rex Features / Startraks Photo
Last Friday, a jury of seven men and five women was selected from almost 400 people. Each potential juror had to complete a 30-page questionnaire about Jackson and the media coverage from when he died.
Six of the chosen panelists are Caucasian, five are Hispanic and one is African-American. Their professions range from a bus driver to a paralegal.
Murray has been accused of administering the sedative Propofol to Jackson after finding him unconscious at his home, but the trial will determine whether his actions actually caused the entertainer's death.
© Rex Features
Legal analyst Steven Cron told BBC News: "We're finally going to get a full airing of all the facts. In order to be guilty of a crime one has to be grossly negligent, not just minimally negligent, and that's what they're trying to prove."
Murray's defence team reportedly requested to use footage from Jackson's This Is It documentary to support his claims that the singer was unwell in the lead-up to his death, but the request was thrown out by Judge Michael Pastor.
Watch a trailer for Michael Jackson's This Is It below:
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