Paramedics to testify at Conrad Murray trial #MJ #MJDR

We expect to hear from the to paramedics that responded to the 911 call - when it was eventually made - to Michael Jackson's home.  When they testified at the preliminary hearing, a few months ago, one of the first responders said he thought Jackson was a hospice patient, based on his appearance and the scene in the room. The other said he saw Dr Murray scoop up vials of drugs while the paramedics tried to save the singer's life.

#MJ family devastated by first day at trial of Conrad Murray

With day 2 of the Conrad Murray trial about to start, the family of Michael Jackson has let it be known that they were very upset by the playing in court of a recording of the singer, sounding slurred and incoherent. They feel that it has been unfairly interpreted as proving that the pop star was a drug addict. Today those close to Michael Jackson - his personal assistant and bodyguard - are likely to paint a picture of the frantic scenes in the singer's bedroom as attempts were being made to revive him.

Trial of Jackson doctor Conrad Murray to begin

Heading to the Criminal Court building in Downtown LA today. More than two years after the death of Michael Jackson, his personal physician, Dr Conrad Murray, is to face the jury. His trial will begin with opening statements by the prosecutor who will lay out the case against the Texas cardiologist. Jermaine Jackson says he is ready for a 'circus.'

A look inside the Jackson family 'memory' room #MJ

A rare glimpse inside the gated home in Los Angeles where Michael Jackson grew up

With the trial of Dr Conrad Murray about to get underway, Jermaine Jackson gave me a tour of the family's 'memory room' inside the Encino home where he and Michael grew up.


This is the room where Michael Jackson practiced his dancing and where the family now displays its personal mementos and photos of the singer. 

Conrad Murray jury selected #MJ - who are they?

The 7 men and 5 women chosen to decide the fate of Dr Conrad Murray, who's accused of killing Michael Jackson, are all middle-aged and several acknowledge that they are fans Michael Jackson. The racial breakdown reflects the Los Angeles community - half are white (6 jurors), there are 5 hispanic/latinos and one black member of the panel. Some say they follow celebrity news on the internet and the tv. A 43-year old woman on the panel is British-born and a new US citizen. In the jury questionnaire she said she viewed jury service as a "privilege" and her "civil duty." Dr Murray denies the charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The first phase of jury selection for the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor has been completed in Los Angeles.

145 people have been chosen to go forward to the next stage which involves completing a detailed 30-page questionnaire about their views on the King of Pop. The questionnaire asks the potential jurors to share their feelings about Michael Jackson, his music and the media coverage of his death. Had they seen the film This is It, which is based on concert rehearsal footage taken in the days before the singer died. Were they familiar with the names of certain drugs, including the one that is said to have killed Michael Jackson. The questionnaire also includes a long list of names - people who may be called as witnesses during the trial. It includes the singer's three children, his parents,brothers and sisters. The potential jurors are asked to say whether they're acquainted with anyone on the list. It's highly unusual for such an extensive list of questions to be used in the selection of a jury, but this is an extremely high profile case. Every potential juror said they knew something about it. They're also asked to say whether they believe celebrities receive special treatment in the criminal justice system. The potential jurors will return to court later this month, when they'll be questioned in person by the lawyers and the judge. Dr Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter and has pleaded not guilty.

Conrad Murray trial: Jury selection Day 1

"We didn't expect you'd been living under a rock for the past several years, or that you made a pit stop from Mars" -- Judge Michael Pastor's reaction when no potential juror in the Dr Conrad Murray case raised a hand to say they were unaware of the story. More than half of the first batch of jurors were dismissed on grounds that serving on the case would cause them financial hardship. 72 remained to fill out lengthy questionnaire about their views on the case and Michael Jackson in general. Murray is accused of involuntary manslughter in the death of singer in 2009.

The full story so far from Linda Deutsch - the only journalist in court for the jury selection process

Other developments
Sept 8
* Opening statements tentatively scheduled for Sept 27
Sept 7
* CA appeal court refused to halt jury selection process
* Several tabloid outlets are reporting that Dr. Murray will take the stand in his own defense.
* Jury selection may take three weeks

More than 2 million people have been affected by a major power cut affecting parts of Mexico and the US states of California and Arizona...

Two nuclear reactors have shut down after losing electricity and the city of San Diego has been severely affected by the blackout. Great swathes of southern California, Arizona and Mexico have been plunged into darkness. San Diego, America's eighth largest city, is the worst affected area. All outgoing flights from the city's airport have been grounded and police stations are using generators to accept emergency calls. Trains have been stopped in Los Angeles because there's no power to run the lights and traffic control signals. A number of people have had to be rescued from stuck elevators and theme park rides. Two nuclear reactors have gone offline after losing electricity, but officials say there's no danger to the public or workers. FBI officials have ruled out terrorism, while the power station authorities attempt to pin point the cause of the problem. A severed transmitter line between Arizona and California, may, according to one official, be the cause of the problem, Much of the region is currently experiencing extremely high temperatures - over 35 degrees celsius in many areas. It's unclear when the power will be restored.

Trial of Michael Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray: Jury selection

Today's developments...
* CA appeal court refuses to halt jury selection process
* Trial will go on as scheduled - despite appeal by defense lawyers against his ruling that the jury will not be sequestered
* Several tabloid outlets are reporting that Dr. Murray will take the stand in his own defense.
* Jury selection may take three weeks
* Opening statements likely in the week of Sept 26