Witnesses in Dr. Conrad Murray’s manslaughter trial are forbidden from discussing Michael Jackson‘s past molestation accusations during the trial.
Jackson was accused of molesting a minor by the State of California in 2005, in addition to 9 other related charges. He was later found not guilty by jury on all 10 charges, including intoxicating a minor, conspiracy, extortion, and child abduction.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor deemed testimony relating to the molestation case irrelevant, fearing that such testimony will mislead the jury from the facts in the case.
Murray was Jackson’s private physician when he died in June 2009. Jackson hired Murray in preparation for his 2009 ‘This is it’ concert tour. Jackson’s official cause of death was listed as acute propofol intoxication, which resulted in cardiac arrest. Upon search of Jackson’s compound, 20 prescription bottles were found.
Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide in August 2009 by the Los Angeles County Coroner. Murray is on trial for involuntary manslaughter as he is alleged to have prescribed the medication that resulted in Jackson’s death.
Jackson’s dermatologist Arnold Klein has also been banned from testifying after prosecutors argued the defense would try to blame him for Jackson’s death, turning the jury’s attention away from Murray.
Opening statements for the trial are expected to be heard on September 27, with an estimated end date of early November.
