On a blustery day in downtown Los Angeles, the inclement conditions outside may not be just weather related. On this day, Dr. Conrad Murray will be back in court for a second time and the family of Michael Jackson will be in the courthouse with him. If this appearance is anything like the last one, Murray will need some significant security as the paparazzi and fan outrage will pack outside the court, the rain doing nothing to damper the attendance.
This hearing for MJ’s Doctor will be procedural, with the court setting a preliminary hearing date, assigning a judge and possibly adjusting bail. The California Attorney General’s Office is expected to ask the court to prohibit the doctor from practicing medicine in light of their ongoing investigation into Murray. Currently the court has allowed Murray to continue his work, mostly in Las Vegas, but with the order that he not be allowed to administer any sedatives. The AG’s office has decided to argue the court’s previous decision.
The Jackson’s family has been vocal from the beginning and you could say has always looked for the spotlight. Now that some reports have come out suggesting that Murray’s defense might include an argument that Michael Jackson killed himself, the family seems more aggressive in their attacks than ever before. Michael’s father Joe, a controversial figure himself, has lashed out at the suggestion and wants Murray to face the stiffest penalties.
Meantime, it has been reported that those in charge of the Jackson estate have signed a 200-million dollar contract with Sony Music. The deal reportedly means a new album will be released this fall with previously unreleased tracks by the one time ‘King of Pop’. The deal could reach 250 million with incentives and does not include merchandise which could mean millions more. It has also been reported that Jackson may have been as much as 400-million dollars in debt at the time of his death.
We will keep you updated on all the developments from here at the courthouse. What are your thoughts about this case?