Tag Archives: superior-court

Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Ordered To Stand Trial

Murray faces manslaughter charges in the singer’s death; his medical license has also been suspended. By Kara Warner Dr. Conrad Murray Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images Dr. Conrad Murray has been ordered to stand trial for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. According to The Associated Press, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor made the decision after a six-day preliminary hearing during which witnesses testified that the Houston cardiologist administered a dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives then left the pop star unmonitored. During the course of the hearing, testimony was given that Murray ordered hundreds of bottles of propofol in the months before Jackson’s death. The AP report also cited the fact that the prosecutors concluded their case with testimony from two doctors who said Murray acted outside the standard of medical care when he administered propofol and failed to provide proper care. Other damning testimony included that of Jackson’s bodyguard, who said that on the morning of the singer’s death, it appeared that Murray didn’t know how to administer CPR to his dying patient. Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor also granted a request by the California Medical Board to suspend Murray’s license to practice medicine in the state. Pastor said he made the decision in the interest of public safety and ordered Murray to notify every district in which he practices of the decision within 24 hours. Murray has clinics in Houston and Las Vegas. Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty, and his attorneys have argued that he did not give Jackson anything that should have killed him. Murray faces up to four years in prison if convicted. Related Artists Michael Jackson

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Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray Ordered To Stand Trial

Witness: Michael Jackson’s Kids Watched Him Die

Michael Jackson’s children watched him die, according to a prosecution witness in the preliminary hearing for his embattled physician, Dr. Conrad Murray. As Murray tried in vain to revive MJ after a drug overdose, his children Paris and Prince entered his bedroom, a former employee testified on Wednesday. “Paris screamed, ‘Daddy,’ and she started crying,” Alberto Alvarez, a logistics director for Jackson, recalled as Katherine and Janet Jackson sat in court. Paris, Blanket and Prince have been through a lot . Alvarez testified in the second day of a preliminary hearing in L.A. Superior Court on an involuntary manslaughter charge against Dr. Conrad Murray. Jackson feared being murdered , we learned yesterday, but Murray is not accused of anything like that. He didn’t mean for MJ to die, but is he liable? The judge will determine whether there’s enough evidence for a trial for the 57-year-old doctor, and it’s all but a formality that Murray will stand trial. According to Alvarez, when MJ’s children appeared that day, Murray shouted, “Get them out! Get them out! Don’t let them see their father like this.” At the time, Paris was 11 years old and Prince was 12. Jackson was on his back, his eyes and mouth open, as Murray gave chest compressions and attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Alvarez says. He was later declared dead at the hospital at age 50. It’s whether Murray was responsible for his passing away that is in question here, of course. Murray’s conduct that day was suspicious, and his expected defense – that Michael killed himself – is thin. You won’t hear that this week, though. At the preliminary hearing, the defense is likely to sit and watch the prosecution outline its case, rather than try to plead its own. There’s no point. It would be a losing battle now, so they are likely to gear up for trial after seeing what the D.A. has and plans on using to convict Conrad Murray.

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Witness: Michael Jackson’s Kids Watched Him Die

Lindsay Lohan Passes on Dancing With the Stars

Despite interest from producers and support from her fans , Lindsay Lohan has turned down an offer to appear on Dancing With the Stars . “We are huge fans of the show and think it’s incredible,” terrible mom Dina said. “We’ll watch it, but it is not going to happen this season.” Plugging herself, Dina adds, “Lindsay actually told the woman at Dancing With The Stars who made the offer, ‘you need to take my mom!'” HOLD UP : Dina and Lindsay have put the brakes on DWTS . Lindsay gave the offer serious consideration, but decided to keep her focus on drug and alcohol rehab, which is a very mature decision. “Lindsay is a great dancer, but she’s taking a break right now. She has been through a lot,” Dina said , before talking about herself again. “Our family loves the show. I’m a dancer, and I taught dance when Lindsay was growing up. I dragged her from one studio to another.” “She sat in front of the mirrors and watched, while I taught.” Dina taught her SO well about coping with life, too. L.A. Superior Court Judge Elden Fox ordered the recovering actress to remain in treatment at Betty Ford until January 3 after a series of probation violations, a positive test for cocaine and a stint behind bars earlier this summer. The time at Betty Ford has made an impression on the whole family. “She just needs to come out

Pirates of the Caribbean 4: First Looks!

Captain Jack is (almost) back. On May 20, Johnny Depp will reprise the role that truly made him an icon, as he steps back into the swashbuckling shoes of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides . We’ve got an early look at a scene from the movie here: The fourth installment of this franchise will find Jack and Barbossa seeking the Fountain of Youth.

Alexis Neiers Ordered to Rehab; Jail Next?

L.A. Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza ordered alleged reality TV star Alexis Neiers to one year of residential drug treatment (rehab) at a hearing today. He threatened to throw the Pretty Wild star behind bars if she violates her probation again like she did with her recent black tar heroin arrest , reports say. Prior to the ruling, Neiers’ lawyer put it all out there for the court: “My client has an addiction to heroin. We would like you to sentence her accordingly.” PRETTY STUPID WILD : Alexis Neiers beat the rap for now. Judge Espinoza agreed, but warned her: “If you violate probation again, and come back for another violation, you are going to state prison for two years.” Neiers, 19, was on probation in the first place after pleading no contest to first degree residential burglary as part of the Burglar Bunch (a.k.a. Bling Ring). She’ll forever be a part of our celebrity mug shots gallery.

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Alexis Neiers Ordered to Rehab; Jail Next?

EEEKS! Lindsay Lohan Dumped By Robert Shapiro on Eve of Jail Sentencing

Famed defense attorney Robert Shapiro took on Lindsay Lohan’s case last week on the condition that she follows the judge’s orders and reports to jail . He seemed like just what she needed, but shockingly, Shapiro stepped away Monday for unknown reasons after meeting with Judge Marsha Revel. The troubled star, who is said to be living in denial , is due to be formally sentenced this morning in court for violating the terms of her DUI probation. At least she seems in relatively good spirits. “The only ‘bookings’ that i’m familiar with are Disney Films, never thought that I’d be ‘booking’ into Jail… eeeks,” Lindsay wrote on her Twitter page. Former girlfriend Samantha Ronson, who has supported Lohan through her ordeal, Tweeted back, “well – you haven’t lost your sense of humour.” Barring a miracle, Lindsay Lohan is headed to jail today . It is not immediately clear who will be representing Lohan at the Tuesday morning hearing in Beverly Hills Superior Court where she is ordered to surrender. Although he has been assisting her, Shapiro never formally became her attorney and was expected to take that title after meeting with Judge Revel Monday. Technically, her lawyer is Shawn Chapman Holley, who parted ways with Lohan after the star’s last hearing but never signed the papers removing herself. Revel would have had to replace Holley with Robert Shapiro as attorney of record. This was thought to be a mere formality, but it never actually took place. Lohan was given 90 days in jail for violating probation terms from her 2007 DUI conviction, but likely will serve only a fraction of that due to overcrowding. She had (thankfully) entered a sober living facility with ties to Shapiro last week, but then her assistant was seen removing her belongings earlier Monday. Stay tuned …

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EEEKS! Lindsay Lohan Dumped By Robert Shapiro on Eve of Jail Sentencing

Vampire Weekend’s Contra Cover Girl Sues The Band

Ann Kirsten Kennis claims her signature was forged on the photo release. By James Montgomery Kirsten Kennis featured on Vampire Weekend’s album “Contra” Photo: XL Recordings Well, after months of speculation, we finally know who the wide-eyed WASP-y girl on the cover of Vampire Weekend’s Contra album is — but the guys in VW probably would have preferred if everyone were kept in the dark. That’s because on Wednesday, the blond, Polo-wearing woman on the cover of the album — her name is Ann Kirsten Kennis, btw — filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming the band (or, as they’re referred to in the suit, “Vampire Weekend, Inc”) and photographer Tod Brody used her image without her permission. At the heart of the suit is a photographic release VW obtained from Brody, one Kennis claims contains her forged signature. Kennis — who is suing the band and the photographer for more than $2 million, on the grounds that neither party bothered to verify the legitimacy of the release — also said she took the original photo back in 1983 but had no idea it was featured on the cover of Contra until the band began promoting the album in November. On Thursday (July 15), an officer in the Public Information office of the L.A. Superior Court verified to MTV News that the suit had been filed. A spokesperson for Vampire Weekend’s label, XL Recordings, told MTV News she had no comment about the suit. Contra was released back in January and debuted at #1 on the Billboard albums chart . Back in October, the band stopped by the MTV Newsroom to talk about the album — and the iconic cover image — but they played things close to the vest: “We haven’t met her, we don’t know her,” bassist Chris Baio laughed. “We’re not being very specific about it. The picture is from 1983, but the last album cover was from 2006, and they kind of look like they both inhabit the same world,” frontman Ezra Koenig added. “When we saw this image, we just found it very striking. And part of it is the look on her face. It’s not about the color of her hair, or the fact that she’s wearing a Polo shirt. What makes it interesting is her face.” What do you think about the lawsuit against Vampire Weekend? Share your thoughts in the comments. Related Videos Vampire Weekend’s Contra, Track-By-Track Related Artists Vampire Weekend

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Vampire Weekend’s Contra Cover Girl Sues The Band

Rodman’s Wife: Worm Owes $300K in Child Support

Filed under: Dennis Rodman , Celebrity Justice Dennis Rodman ‘s estranged wife Michelle is on a rampage over child support she claims her cross-dressing hubby never paid — well over a quarter million dollars worth. According to docs filed in Orange County Superior Court, Dennis owes a whopping… Read more

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Rodman’s Wife: Worm Owes $300K in Child Support

Lindsay Lohan Arrest Warrant

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday for the actress by the same Los Angeles judge who earlier issued a warrant when Lohan failed to show up to court. Something set off Lindsay Lohan#39;s alcohol-monitoring bracelet – and that set off a judge. Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel found Lohan violated the terms of her bail and upped her bail to $200,000. A bond was later posted, sparing Lohan from being arrested until a hearing takes place next month. A source close to the case tells PEOPLE the c

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Lindsay Lohan Arrest Warrant

Britney Spears’ Conservatorship: Will it Continue?

Britney Spears will have a conservatorship status hearing in a Los Angeles courtroom today, and some have speculated she will try to reclaim her life then. That sounds dramatic, but it’s pretty much what’s at stake. Her dad Jamie Spears has the final say over her medical, financial and career affairs indefinitely. It all dates back to early 2008, when her behavior became so erratic that a judge decreed Jamie would have ultimate control over the superstar’s affairs. This decision worked wonders for Spears, who has returned to music prominence and a semblance of normalcy too. But how long is too long for this to go? Rumblings that Britney wants out have surfaced for months. FREE BRITNEY? Is Spears capable of making her own decisions? While some of the rumors are likely untrue – she’s not allowed to be alone with her kids , he instituted a bra policy , etc. – Britney and Jamie have been at odds. Says a source: “It seems highly unlikely that the conservatorship will end by the end of summer. Britney’s just not ready, yet. She has good and bad days.” “Britney has complex,” the insider continues. “Issues on both a personal and professional level, and that is the reason the conservatorship is still in place.” It’s all moot to a degree. L.A. Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz is the sole person who can determine if and when the conservatorship will end. When that time comes, a formal hearing will take place, and if the commissioner has enough evidence to support ending the conservatorship, she will. At the appropriate time. Is that now? Unlikely.

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Britney Spears’ Conservatorship: Will it Continue?