Jackson V. AEG Set For April 2

The civil suit filed by Katherine Jackson against AEG Live will go to trial April 2 over one remaining count, a Los Angeles judge ruled after dismissing two others.

Former cardiologist Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson’s death after administering a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol to the singer in June 2009.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvatte Palazuelos ruled the trial may proceed on the claim of negligence but dropped claims that AEG could be held liable for Murray’s conduct and breached its duty to property care for Michael Jackson.

The late superstar died shortly before he was to depart for London to begin a 50-concert residency at The O2 arena.

Attorney Marvin Putnam has said Murray was not employed by AEG Live, as Jackson died before the promoter and Murray could finalize a contract that would have paid the doctor $150,000 per month to travel with MJ as his personal physician.

Kevin Boyle, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, argued at a hearing that AEG controlled Murray’s actions and failed to properly investigate him before agreeing to pay him to work as Michael Jackson’s physician.

He cited Murray’s debt problems as a red flag and claimed AEG created a conflict between his duty to Jackson and his own financial well-being.