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Michael Jackson's doctor 'was not vetted', his mother says Michael Jackson's doctor 'was not vetted', his mother says
(35 minutes later)
A lawyer for Michael Jackson's mother says the pop star's promoters failed properly to vet the doctor convicted of causing his death from a drug overdose, as a wrongful death lawsuit opens.A lawyer for Michael Jackson's mother says the pop star's promoters failed properly to vet the doctor convicted of causing his death from a drug overdose, as a wrongful death lawsuit opens.
Katherine Jackson and his three children say AEG Live should be held liable for Jackson's death in 2009.Katherine Jackson and his three children say AEG Live should be held liable for Jackson's death in 2009.
The promoters say they did no wrong and could not have foreseen Jackson's death on the eve of his comeback tour.The promoters say they did no wrong and could not have foreseen Jackson's death on the eve of his comeback tour.
Millions of dollars are at stake in the case, which could last up to 90 days.Millions of dollars are at stake in the case, which could last up to 90 days.
Brian Panish, who represents Jackson's relatives, told a court in Los Angeles that AEG Live was the only party that maintains it was unaware of Jackson's addiction to prescription drugs.Brian Panish, who represents Jackson's relatives, told a court in Los Angeles that AEG Live was the only party that maintains it was unaware of Jackson's addiction to prescription drugs.
'Ultimate price''Ultimate price'
"Over the years Michael's family and people who knew him believed he had a problem with prescription medication," Mr Panish told a jury of six men and six women."Over the years Michael's family and people who knew him believed he had a problem with prescription medication," Mr Panish told a jury of six men and six women.
"His stirring voice, his musical genius, his creativity and his generosity and his huge heart was extinguished forever," he said, adding that jurors would have to decide who was responsible for the star's death."His stirring voice, his musical genius, his creativity and his generosity and his huge heart was extinguished forever," he said, adding that jurors would have to decide who was responsible for the star's death.
A lawyer for AEG Live was due to make comments later on Monday.A lawyer for AEG Live was due to make comments later on Monday.
The case, which is expected to focus on the last months of Jackson's life, his financial history and his overall health, could feature testimony from his children.The case, which is expected to focus on the last months of Jackson's life, his financial history and his overall health, could feature testimony from his children.
It is also reported that stars such as singer Diana Ross, director Spike Lee and music producer Quincy Jones may take the stand.It is also reported that stars such as singer Diana Ross, director Spike Lee and music producer Quincy Jones may take the stand.
The trial is expected to focus on Conrad Murray, the former cardiologist who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for administering a combination of sedatives and the anaesthetic propofol that killed Jackson.The trial is expected to focus on Conrad Murray, the former cardiologist who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 for administering a combination of sedatives and the anaesthetic propofol that killed Jackson.
Murray is in prison, appealing his conviction.Murray is in prison, appealing his conviction.
Fragile health
He agreed to work as Jackson's personal physician for $150,000 a month during the This Is It concert series, but Jackson died before the tour began.He agreed to work as Jackson's personal physician for $150,000 a month during the This Is It concert series, but Jackson died before the tour began.
AEG Live is expected to argue that Jackson had selected Murray to be his personal doctor, and that Murray was not officially an AEG Live employee.AEG Live is expected to argue that Jackson had selected Murray to be his personal doctor, and that Murray was not officially an AEG Live employee.
But his family are expected to argue the concert promoters put pressure on Murray to get Jackson ready for the gruelling tour schedule despite the pop icon's fragile health.But his family are expected to argue the concert promoters put pressure on Murray to get Jackson ready for the gruelling tour schedule despite the pop icon's fragile health.
Famous members of Jackson's family, including his sister Janet, are also expected to attend the trial.Famous members of Jackson's family, including his sister Janet, are also expected to attend the trial.