Michael Jackson doctor's defence 'gutted' by judge, say lawyers
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<br />[size=12pt]Lawyers acting for Dr Conrad Murray have had their witness list cut to the bone in the runup to his trial in September[/size][size=12pt]Lawyers acting for Michael Jackson's former doctor Conrad Murray have had many of their proposed witnesses rejected by Judge Pastor. Photograph: Mark Boster/EPA<br />The judge in the upcoming trial of Michael Jackson's former doctor Conrad Murray has "gutted" the medic's defence, according to his lawyers, rejecting more than a dozen of their proposed witnesses. Judge Michael Pastor has barred "distracting" testimony about Jackson's financial affairs, personal life and aspects of his medical history, including representations by Jackson's longtime dermatologist, nanny and business manager.<br /><br />Dr Conrad Murray is accused of involuntary manslaughter, with prosecutors asserting that the physician's insomnia treatments caused the singer's 2009 death. But Murray's lawyers have claimed that Jackson took his own life, calling it the "desperate act" of a "desperate man". They say the singer's debt, his addiction to painkillers and the pressure of his comeback shows all led to his demise.<br /><br />While the trial isn't scheduled to begin until September, superior court judge Michael Pastor decimated the defence's witness list this week. "Discussions of these subject matters are sufficiently convoluted, distracting and detracting as to substantially outweigh any probative value whatsoever," Pastor said, according to the LA Times. He had previously barred Murray's lawyers from discussing Jackson's balance-book with the jury, calling it a "battle of accountants" that would turn the trial "into a salacious analysis of personal financial issues".<br /><br />Rejected witnesses include: Arnold Klein, Jackson's dermatologist, who allegedly introduced the singer to the addictive painkiller Demerol. The defence claims Jackson was in withdrawal from the drug when he died; Susan Etok, a friend of Jackson's, who apparently told police that he had asked her for propofol and other drugs; Grace Rwaramba, Jackson's nanny until the spring of 2009, who told investigators that the singer had serious drug issues and once received a call from Jackson's children, who had found their father passed out on the floor; witnesses linked to a 2003 raid on Jackson's Neverland ranch, where defence lawyers claim propofol and Demerol were found.<br /><br />Judge Pastor also banned any testimony linked to Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial, where he was acquitted on all charges. "That is no-go territory as far as this criminal trial," he said. Prosecutors hailed the decision. "The People are very concerned about this trial deteriorating into an attack on Michael Jackson," admitted deputy district attorney David Walgren.<br /><br />Despite the negative rulings, Murray's lawyers said they planned to soldier on with their defence, using testimony from several approved nurses and doctors. "If we have to go to a tank battle with a switchblade, that is exactly what we'll do," Edward Chernoff said. If convicted, Murray faces up to four years in prison.[/size]http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/aug/31/michael-jackson-doctor-defence-gutted
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