Judge Limits Defense in Michael Jackson Murder Case

Dr. Conrad Murray

 Update | September 26, 12:35 p.m. PDT:  

The pre-trial hearing in the manslaughter case of Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's physician during the time of the pop star's death in 2009, wrapped up Monday morning. 

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor has put boundaries around what Murray's lawyers can bring up concerning  Jackson's health and mental state in the months before his death. 

The judge also ruled that a video of Jackson's March 2009 announcement of his "This Is It" concerts in London can not be used as evidence, denying the defense's request to show the footage. 

The first witness for the prosecution is expected to be Kenny Ortega, the producer and choreographer of Jackson's "This Is It" shows, who will take the stand Tuesday.

The 12-member jury consists of seven men and five women, six of whom are white, five who are listed as Mexican or Hispanic, and one who identified himself as African-American.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, which carries a sentence of up to four years in prison.

Jackson suffered cardiac arrest in his home on June 25, 2009, after an in-home visit by Murray earlier that day.   He was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead upon arrival. 

The trial will center on Murray's administration of a poweful sleeping drug, propofol, which he purportedly gave to the singer to help him sleep before his comeback tour.

Due to the drug's potency, it is usually administered intravenously in a hospital setting during surgery.

The defense will base its theory on the presence of the drug in Jackson's stomach, meaning he had to have ingested it orally.

Cable networks will be providing near-constant coverage of the trial, which is projected to be as high-grossing as the Casey Anthony trial in June.

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