Judge approves viewing of Jackson footage08:25 AEST Sun Jun 26 201
Defence lawyers and prosecutors in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor won permission to view raw footage that didn't make it into the concert movie This Is It.
The lawyers want to show excerpts from the movie to demonstrate Jackson's physical condition before he died.
However, the ruling also sets the stage for the singer to become the posthumous star of the upcoming trial.
At one point in the court hearing, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor asked if prosecutors wanted to show the entire movie to jurors, but the issue was tabled for later discussion.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren initially asked to show excerpts of the actual movie compiled from rehearsals two days before Jackson's death on June 25, 2009.
Defence lawyers, however, asked to see out-takes not used in the movie and requested the time frame begin 10 days before Jackson died.
Walgren said prosecutors want to see the same raw footage that is viewed by the defence.
Defence lawyer Nareg Gourjian objected to the prosecution's request to sit in on the private screening, saying the subpoena was issued by the defence.
Walgren countered that it would be "silly and a waste of time" for him to get a separate subpoena and the judge agreed.
Pastor said both sides can go to Sony studios beginning on Tuesday and view 21 boxes of audio-visual materials that have been estimated to capture 100 hours of rehearsal time. Jackson was preparing for a widely anticipated London concert and died just before he was to leave for Britain.
Dr. Conrad Murray, hired as Jackson's private physician for the tour, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, accused of giving Jackson an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and other sedatives. He has pleaded not guilty and is due for trial in September.
The hearing came one day before the second anniversary of Jackson's death.
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