Michael Jackson's relatives are attending a court appearance
by the doctor accused of giving him a lethal dose of powerful anaesthetic.
Dr Conrad Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.
During a brief procedural hearing in Los Angeles, Dr Murray's case was
assigned to Judge Michael Pastor.
Judge Pastor adjourned the case until mid-June, when he is expected to rule
on whether to revoke Dr Murray's medical licence pending the full trial.
Members of the Jackson family turned out in force for the largely procedural
hearing, led by his parents Katherine and Joe. His siblings Janet, Randy and
Jermaine were also present.
Dozens of journalists and fans also packed the downtown courthouse.
California's attorney general has asked the judge to suspend the cardiologist
while he faces the charges.
Fans of the late pop star gathered outside the courthouse in
downtown LA |
Dr Murray's lawyers are fighting that move, saying he needs to practise
medicine to pay for his defence.
"He is, without fear of overstatement, hanging on by a thread," they said in
court documents.
Dr Murray has previously been ordered not to administer any anaesthetics as a
condition of his $75,000 (£49,050) bail.
He is alleged to have administered a lethal dose of Propofol and other drugs,
which resulted in the pop star's death on 25 June.
According to US reports, Dr Murray's legal team is to argue that Jackson
accidentally killed himself by injecting himself with Propofol.
At the preliminary hearing, scheduled for 14 June, Judge Pastor will decide
whether there is enough evidence to go forward with a jury trial.
If convicted, Dr Murray faces up to four years in jail.
BBC Entertainment
