Joe Jackson Can Move Forward With His Wrongful Death Suit, Judge Tentatively Rules

A judge has issued a tentative ruling that Joe Jackson can move forward with his wrongful death suit against cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray over the death of his late pop star son, Michael Jackson.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Johnson issued his preliminary ruling Monday, rejecting defense efforts to have the case dismissed. Johnson is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday  before making a final ruling.

The lawsuit filed Nov. 30 seeks unspecified damages against Murray, who has pleaded not guilty in a separate criminal case in which he has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the June 2009 death of the legendary singer. MIchael Jackson died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood after Murray allegedly gave him a lethal dose of propofol at Jackson's rented Holmby Hills estate.

In the suit, Joe Jackson names Las Vegas' Applied Pharmacy services, which court records show sold Murray propofol in the weeks before his son's death at age 50 that was attributed to acute propofol intoxication.

The pharmacy is alleged to have sold Murray excessive amounts of propofol, a drug typically used in a clinical setting during surgery.

Joe Jackson initially filed a wrongful death claim against Murray in U.S. District Court last June 25. However, a judge declined to hear the case and said it should be brought in Superior Court.

 The complaint alleges Murray was negligent in administering propofol to Jackson and that he did not tell paramedics that he gave the singer the drug.

City News Service was used to compile this report.

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