Prospective Jurors Quizzed in Michael Jackson Case

Prospective jurors in the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician are being asked if they are a fan of the late singer or his family and whether they've already formed an opinion about the doctor's guilt or innocence.

The 29-page jury questionnaire—a copy was publicly released Thursday—asks potential panelists in Dr. Conrad Murray's trial to detail what they have heard or read about the case; whether they have any "positive or negative feelings or opinions'' about Jackson or his doctor; and whether they know anyone with an addiction to prescription medication.

About 170 potential jurors have been asked to fill out the questionnaire in a process that began March 24 and continued Thursday.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor had determined last month that there was not a "sufficient number of pre-screened, hardship- qualified jurors'' who could hear the case against Murray.

The jury questionnaire also asks prospective jurors about their primary source of news; to describe their attitudes about celebrities and whether people of wealth or fame are treated differently in the court system; and whether they or anyone close to them is acquainted with more than 130 "potential witnesses or people who might be mentioned during the case,'' including Jackson's three children, his siblings or his parents.

Potential panelists are also queried on whether they have followed any high-publicity cases over the past several years; if they have had any "particularly positive or negative experiences with doctors''; if they have ever undergone a medical procedure requiring an anesthetic; and if they are familiar with more than two dozen medications, including the anesthetic propofol.

Jackson died of acute propofol intoxication on June 25, 2009 at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood while in Los Angeles rehearsing for an upcoming series of sold-out concerts in London.

Murray, 58, is accused of administering propofol to Jackson at the entertainer's rented Holmby Hills estate to help him sleep, then failing to properly monitor the 50-year-old singer.

Prospective panelists are due back in court starting May 4 for questioning by attorneys from both sides, with opening statements set for May 9.

Murray proclaimed himself "an innocent man'' during a Jan. 25 court appearance. He was ordered to stand trial Jan. 11 on the felony charge after a six-day preliminary hearing, and to ``immediately cease and desist'' practicing medicine in California while the criminal case is pending.

City News Service was used to compile this report.

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