Dr. Conrad Murray took a walloping in court Monday after the judge threw out potentially key components of the embattled physician's case that he is not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.
First, Judge Michael Pastor ruled that Jackson's personal history, including all references to child molestation, will not be permitted during Murray's trial.
Then, he determined that Jackson's dermatologist and longtime friend, Dr. Arnold Klein, won't be allowed to testify when Murray is tried next month.
Pastor stated that Dr. Klein's role in MJ's care isn't relevant, and that it could confuse the jury, as could unrelated testimony about MJ's personal life.
It's the ruling on Klein that dealt the most serious blow to Murray's defense, since the physician hoped to deflect blame onto others who treated the star.
Murray's lawyers were planning on asking Dr. Arnold Klein about the Demerol that he allegedly prescribed to Michael Jackson in the days before he died.
The defense was going to contend that Dr. Conrad Murray didn't know Klein gave Jackson Demerol at the same time he was giving him Propofol.
The two doctors that gave Michael Jackson Propofol (a hospital grade anesthetic) in medical settings will be allowed to testify at the trial, however.
The singer’s former nurse Cherylin Lee will also testify and in documents filed by Dr. Murray’s high powered defense attorney Nareg Gourjian.
They claim she will discuss Michael asking her for Propofol on April 19, 2009, just two months before the legendary singer died at the age of 50.
Jury selection is scheduled to begin on September 8, with opening arguments most likely to take place around the last week in September.
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