Jackson molestation case banned from manslaughter trial
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Agencies via Xinhua, August 30, 2011
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Dr. Conrad Murray is shown during a hearing in Los Angeles in this April 5, 2010 file photograph. [Xinhua/Reuters File Photo] |
The judge in the upcoming trial of Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray ruled Monday that the defense cannot call any witnesses to testify about the King of Pop's child molestation case, media reported Tuesday.
L.A. County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said any testimony relating to the molestation case is irrelevant -- and would be distracting and misleading to the jury.
The judge said he was barring any mention of the molestation case because, "It proves nothing regarding the year 2009," when Jackson died.
The judge also posed more hurdles for Murray's attorneys. He said that Arnold Klein, Jackson's dermatologist, is not allowed to testify at the involuntary manslaughter trial.
Prosecutor David Walgren argued that the defense was seeking to transfer responsibility for Jackson's death to Klein. The judge appeared to agree with the prosecutor.
Jury selection for Murray's trial is set to begin on Sept. 8. The prosecution has prepared about 30 pages worth of questions for prospective jurors to answer. Murray was ordered to attend a hearing two days earlier.
