Michael Jackson’s doctor expected to start court hearing next year

Murray, 57, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of involuntary manslaughter. A Los Angeles superior court judge Michael Pastor has scheduled the hearing to January 4 2011, and he will decide whether to send Murray on full trial, depending on the evidence laid out by prosecutors.

The cardiologist and several of Jackson’s family were present at the brief court hearing on Monday.

Michael Jackson died on June 25 2009, from an overdose of powerful anaesthetic propofol, used to put surgical patients to sleep. Murray was employed by Jackson as his personal doctor while undergoing intense rehearsals for his London concerts. He was charged in February for administering a lethal dose of the anaesthetic.