LOS ANGELES: Lawyers for Michael Jackson’s mother will launch their case for massive compensation from the promoter of his last doomed tour, at the trial over the late King of Pop’s 2009 death.
Opening statements are due in Los Angeles at the wrongful death trial pitting Katherine Jackson against AEG Live, whom she blames for negligently hiring Conrad Murray, the doctor convicted over his killing.
Underlining the high stakes, lawyers from both sides have spent an unusually long four weeks picking the 12-member jury — six men and six women—who will decide whether the promoters have to pay out potentially billions of dollars.
Murray, convicted and jailed for involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for giving the singer an overdose of propofol, could be called to give evidence, but has said he will plead right to remain silent to avoid incriminating himself.
The late pop star’s 82-year-old mother, as well as his two elder children, will also give evidence in the trial that comes nearly four years after his death, and could last more than three months.
Jackson died at his Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009 aged 50, from an overdose of the powerful sedative propofol, administered by Murray to help the “Thriller” legend deal with chronic insomnia.
At the time of his death, he was rehearsing for a series of 50 shows in London, organised with the Anschutz Entertainment Group in what was seen as an attempt to revive his career, and also to ease his financial woes.
Jackson’s mother claims that AEG Live pushed her son too hard to prepare for the London shows.
But AEG claims that Jackson had a history of drug abuse long before the singer met Murray, hired to care for him before and during the shows at London’s O2 Arena.
AFP
