Global General

Picture of Jackson's body, affairs be off-limits

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-08 16:56

LOS ANGELES -- Attorneys on behalf of Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in pop icon Michael Jackson's June 2009 death, have asked that autopsy photographs of the singer's body, as well as affairs and out-of-wedlock child of the physician, should be kept off from the jurors, said court papers released Thursday.

"Admission of these photographs to the jurors will jeopardize Dr. Murray's right to a fair trial because of the significant risk that the jury will base their decision not on the evidence presented, but on emotional grounds which play no part in a criminal action," Edward Chernoff and Nareg Gourjian wrote in a motion filed this week.

Medical experts can adequately describe the autopsy findings without these "graphic, gruesome and highly prejudicial" photographs being used, they said.

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The defense also asked Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor to exclude any reference during the trial to Murray's child support obligations, his children or "his extra-marital affair" with the mother of his youngest child.

In motions filed earlier this week, they also asked the judge to bar any reference to the cardiologist having met two prospective witnesses at strip clubs or gentlemen's clubs, arguing that "there is absolutely no relevance whatsoever to all of this sexually scandalous information."

The judge is expected to consider the motions at hearings on April 21-22.

Meanwhile, the trial took a step forward as a process of selecting jurors has proceeded Thursday, with about 170 potential jurors have been asked to fill out a 29-page questionnaire, answering if they are a fan of the late King of Pop or his family and whether they've already formed an opinion about the doctor's guilt or innocence.

The prospective panelists were asked to detail what they have heard or read about the case; whether they have any "positive or negative feelings or opinions" about Jackson or his doctor; and whether they know anyone with an addiction to prescription medication.

The panelists are due back in court on May 4, when attorneys from both sides will begin questioning them.

Murray, 57, denied any wrongdoing in the death of the superstar's death, insisting his "innocence." If convicted of the involuntary manslaughter, he could spend four years behind bars.

Jackson died on June 25, 2009, when he was busy rehearsing for his comeback London concerts at his rented Holmby Hills estate. He was ruled by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office as having died from an acute propofol intoxication. The potent sedative is generally used in a hospital and clinical setting.