FROM INSIDE THE COURTROOM
We have been moved from the 13th floor of the LA Courthouse to the 9th floor because Judge Peter Espinoza decided it should be held in a more complex court. Because of the move there are no camera’s or audio feeds. Too late to move them.

1:47 pm Now sitting in jury box because this is a VERY small courtroom. Chaotic and a bit disorganized due to the last minute move. Dr. Murray is a tall man and looks saddened as he chats with his attorney. The Jackson family is let in and sits on blue benches in the second row. Katherine holds flowers and Janet attends to her. Joe greets people and holds his sunglasses and black hat.

1:48pm All counsel is asked to go into the judge’s chambers. Dr. Murray now sits alone at the table. He crosses his hands and looks at the ceiling for a short moment. He appears nervous and occasionally looks over to the media sitting in the jury box. We make short eye contact. Security here is very tight and there are no less than 10 officers in this courtroom. New Judge is Michael Pastor. There are aprox 10 people here from the Jackson family and friends…including Joe, Katherine, Jermaine, Janet and Randy.

2:02pm. Dr. Murray still sits alone, his hands folded. He now leans forward and he appears a bit more nervous as he notices that everyone is watching his every move. At one point he leans back and talks to his security officer in the rows behind him. There is no one other than a few deputies in his area, so he is truly alone.

2:24 Counsel returns to the courtroom. Court in session with Judge Pastor. David Wahlgren is the deputy DA and is joined by two others from his office. Deputy Attorney General Trina Saunders is also present and has presented the state’s concern over the judge’s medcial practice. Ed Chernoff and two others are present for Dr. Conrad Murray.

Judge Pastro has recommended Wahlgren for judicial appointment and made it known to all attorney’s in the judge’s chambers. They are not friends, just has witnessed his work in court. The Judge has determined he should disclose this info and the judge doesn’t feel it will affect his ability to be fair and impartial. The judge is giving 10 days to challenge his appointment to hear this case. This judge was also nominated by then Governor Jerry Brown in 1983 and that has been disclosed also. That too will not affect the judge’s ability, but he is disclosing this anyway.

June 14th is the next hearing at 13:30pm. This preliminary hearing will be set then in this same court.
The AG and the medical board think that the issue of Dr. Murray’s license should be heard now in the issue of the public. The judge has denied that request. That could change if someone challenges this judge and the case is moved.
Dr. Murray was asked if agrees and he responds yes your honor to that question and a few others. All procedural questions.

2:38 case ends for today. No audio or video recordings will be allowed in his courtroom. We can use blackberry’s and texting. No audio or video until further notice.

AFTERNOON UPDATE
Just spoke with Murray’s defense team. They strongly deny reports of a Coca Cola defense or the claim that Michael Jackson administered propofol to himself. My source says that claim and others are outlandish since the defense hasn’t even gotten most of the discovery and plan on asking the judge to reset this hearing for a future date when they get more of the evidence from the prosecution. The defense team isn’t that big anyway according to my contact and Ed Chernoff is keeping his ideas close to the vest. For some organizations to report “multiple sources” doesn’t make sense to them because that would have to include Ed Chernoff.

“Today is all about fighting for this man to support his family. We wanna make sure he keeps his medical license in tact. He’s got to be able to continue his practice because he hasn’t been convicted of anything, only charged,” according to my source.

That comment is in response to the report that the California AG’s Office will ask the judge to change the bail agreement and bar Murray from practicing medicine until this case is over.

From EARLIER ON MONDAY
On a blustery day in downtown Los Angeles, the inclement conditions outside may not be just weather related. On this day, Dr. Conrad Murray will be back in court for a second time and the family of Michael Jackson will be in the courthouse with him. If this appearance is anything like the last one, Murray will need some significant security as the paparazzi and fan outrage will pack outside the court, the rain doing nothing to damper the attendance.

This hearing for MJ’s Doctor will be procedural, with the court setting a preliminary hearing date, assigning a judge and possibly adjusting bail. The California Attorney General’s Office is expected to ask the court to prohibit the doctor from practicing medicine in light of their ongoing investigation into Murray. Currently the court has allowed Murray to continue his work, mostly in Las Vegas, but with the order that he not be allowed to administer any sedatives. The AG’s office has decided to argue the court’s previous decision.

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The Jackson’s family has been vocal from the beginning and you could say has always looked for the spotlight. Now that some reports have come out suggesting that Murray’s defense might include an argument that Michael Jackson killed himself, the family seems more aggressive in their attacks than ever before. Michael’s father Joe, a controversial figure himself, has lashed out at the suggestion and wants Murray to face the stiffest penalties.

Meantime, it has been reported that those in charge of the Jackson estate have signed a 200-million dollar contract with Sony Music. The deal reportedly means a new album will be released this fall with previously unreleased tracks by the one time ‘King of Pop’. The deal could reach 250 million with incentives and does not include merchandise which could mean millions more. It has also been reported that Jackson may have been as much as 400-million dollars in debt at the time of his death.

We will keep you updated on all the developments from here at the courthouse. What are your thoughts about this case?