A judge has delayed the preliminary hearing for Dr. Conrad Murray, charged in Michael Jackson’s death, until early next year because more investigation is being done and some prosecution witnesses won’t be available until then.
The hearing, in which prosecutors will try to convince the judge there is probable cause to hold a trial, was expected to start in October.
The preliminary hearing, which is estimated to take two or three weeks, is now scheduled to start on January 4, Judge Michael Pastor said.
A Los Angeles, California, judge refused Monday to ban Dr. Conrad Murray, charged with involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death, from practicing medicine in the state.
He resumed his medical practices in Houston, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada, last fall, defense lawyer Ed Chernoff said. Suspending his California license would trigger a domino effect, causing Texas and Nevada officials to take action, he said.
Several members of the Jackson family have said they suspect that Michael Jackson’s death was the result of a murder conspiracy, although they’ve not made public any evidence. A lawyer for Joe Jackson has said he was preparing a civil wrongful-death lawsuit in the singer’s death.
The lawyer for Michael Jackson’s doctor says there will be no plea bargain in the involuntary manslaughter case, though he worries whether an impartial jury can be seated for a trial in the death of one of the world’s most famous and idolized entertainers.
“You may find after you are done watching the trial that it is not nearly as cut and dried as has been presented,” Chernoff told The Associated Press in a recent interview. “One thing that simply will never be the truth is that Dr. Murray pumped a bunch of drugs into Michael Jackson and walked out of that room. He’s not that kind of guy.”
Dr. Conrad Murray appeared in court today for a hearing in his involuntary manslaughter case.
Judge Michael Pastor was assigned to be the newly presiding judge in his case. He scheduled Murray’s next court appearance for June 14, 2010, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing, during which the judge will determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
