Countdown to the trial of Michael Jackson’s killer

The defense attorneys for the accused of involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson have been ordered by the judge to submit the case documents and evidence to the prosecutor and to provide a list of their witnesses.

Under California law, both sides must exchange all documents and evidence 30 days before the start of the trial. Today is the final deadline for Conrad Murray’s attorneys.

Yesterday, after the prosecutor’s office expressed dissatisfaction about not receiving the case documents, Judge Michael Pastor said that this issue had been delayed once before and hoped there wouldn’t be a repeat.

David Walgren from the prosecution team said he still hasn’t been able to access the statements of 76 to 103 people whom the accused’s attorneys interviewed. Conrad Murray’s attorneys say they revealed everything they had, but the problem is that some of these witnesses did not cooperate with them.

Yesterday, the judge decided to hold the discussion about selecting jurors in his chambers without the presence of reporters. The lawyers and prosecutors are preparing the questions that will be asked next month before the selected jurors. The judge said he remains concerned that these questions will leak to the media.

Once before, in March and April of last year, the selection of jurors had been halted because the accused’s attorneys requested more time.

Yesterday, the prosecutor asked the judge to use Dr. Conrad Murray’s medical records in court. None of his former patients are related to Michael’s murder case. Judge Pastor said he would not allow confidential patient information to be brought up unless the prosecutor had a compelling reason.

The next session will be held tomorrow.

Source: eMJey.com / CNN