A lawsuit brought against Michael Jackson shortly before his death in 2009 has been dismissed.

As previously reported, AllGood Entertainment claimed that Jackson had breached a contract with them when he signed up for his ultimately doomed O2 residency, because he had already signed an exclusivity deal with them to perform at a televised reunion concert with the Jackson Five. AllGood sued Jackson for $40 million, and after his death sent a $300 million creditor's note to the singer's estate. However, last week a judge dismissed the claim.

The Jackson family's lawyer, Howard Weitzman, said that the case had "never had any merit and the claim was frivolous from day one. Michael Jackson never agreed to participate in a concert promoted by AllGood as the judge clearly found in his opinion".

In other Michael Jackson court news, Dr Conrad Murray, who is accused of killing the singer by providing him with a lethal dose of anaesthetic, will have a preliminary hearing in January to decide whether or not he should face a full trial for involuntary manslaughter.

Judge Michael Pastor scheduled the preliminary hearing for 4 Jan at the Los Angeles Superior Court this week. Murray was present at the brief court session, as were members of the Jackson family, including Michael's parents Joe and Katherine.

As expected, Michael Jackson's father Joe has sued Conrad Murray for wrongful death in relation to the medic's treatment of his son, and the allegations the doc was negligent to administer the shot of propofol that killed the late king of pop. Jackson Senior has been preparing his litigation for a while now, but actually filed his legal papers with the LA courts last week, perhaps aware the news media would be hungry for Jacko-related stories as the first anniversary of his death came around, thus ensuring his action got the biggest possible coverage.

According to reports, the lawsuit accuses Murray, who also faces criminal charges in relation to his treatment of Jacko, of poor training, professional negligence and unwarranted secrecy. The latter accusation relates to claims Murray tried to hide the fact he had given Jacko the propofol shot in the hours and days after the singer's death, possibly aware that administering such a strong drug in a domestic environment as a cure for insomnia was highly unusual.

Interestingly, Joe Jackson's estranged wife Katherine and Jacko's three children are also listed as 'nominal plaintiffs' on the lawsuit, despite it being widely known the Jackson patriarch's litigation isn't backed by any other members of the family. Katherine Jackson's lawyer confirmed to TMZ on Friday she was not formally linked to the lawsuit in anyway, saying: "Mrs Jackson has no interest in Conrad Murray other than seeing that justice is done in the criminal courts. She certainly would never tap [Joe Jackson's lawyer] Brian Oxman for the job of filing any kind of lawsuit for her or the kids".

Murray, of course, is pleading not guilty to the criminal charges against him, claiming there was nothing about the drugs he gave Jacko, nor the way he administered them, that should have caused the singer's death, even if did. The medic's legal people confirmed on Friday that they would fight Joe Jackson's lawsuit, with the lawyer specifically looking after the case, Charles Peckham, telling reporters: "We believe Dr Murray's innocence will be proved".

Elsewhere in Jacko news, Randy Jackson has hit out at a charity set up to fund a Jackson family museum in their home town of Gary, Indiana, and at a fund-raiser they hosted this weekend on the first anniversary of his brother's death. Joe Jackson is seemingly involved in the foundation and Katherine Jackson is listed as its Vice-Chair, but Randy says he suspects the whole operation is a fraud. The so called Jackson Family Foundation held a tribute evening called 'Forever Michael' in LA on Saturday.

Writing on Twitter, he said this weekend: "Let me be clear, there's no legitimate 'Jackson Family Foundation' that my brothers & sisters are aware of. As far as I am concerned, tonight's event is a fraud. I know my parents would not be involved if they really knew the characters they have aligned themselves with... I am doing my best to get my parents to understand who the people are around them".

He continued: "How can you raise money for a foundation that has not been legally formed? It is disrespectful to this family & an insult [to] the public & fans. I am sick of people trying to exploit & take advantage of my parents and then letting our family take the blame. I don't mean to be negative all the time but please understand my bro shouldn't be dead & I get protective when people try 2 exploit us, esp now".

There is, of course, a lot of money to be made out of the Michael Jackson legacy, as figures circulating last week relating to deals done by the Jacko estate demonstrated. Meanwhile, this weekend at an auction staged in Las Vegas by Julien's Auctions, a crystal-studded glove that was worn by Jackson during his 1984 Victory tour was sold for $190,000.

The glove was the biggest sale of the night, though a lot of other Jacko tat - or "exclusive memorabilia" - went for big money, most of it considerably more than expected. As Darren Julien told the Las Vegas Review Journal: "It just shows you Michael Jackson is the most sought after and most collectible celebrity of all time. It was just phenomenal. People flew in from Asia, Russia, all over. Now that he's gone, we now realise the true legend we lost".

Doctor Conrad Murray can continue to work as a medic in California, if he so wishes, while he awaits trial over allegations his negligence caused the death of Michael Jackson.

As previously reported, Murray was back in court for a routine update hearing on the case against him yesterday, and ahead of the hearing both the Californian Medical Board and California's District Attorney requested that the doc be banned from practicing medicine in the state. He is already banned from administering anaesthetics in California, after the dose of propofol he gave Michael Jackson on 25 Jun last year killed the pop star.

But Judge Michael Pastor, who put off making a decision on a similar request back in April, yesterday said he didn't have to power to revoke Murray's medical license because a different judge in an earlier hearing on the matter had decided not to, and that decision must stand.

Murray's legal people oppose the moves to ban their client from working as a doctor in California, even though he has no intent to do so. But, they claim, such a move in that state would impact on his license to practice medicine in Texas and Nevada, where he is working.

Murray denies he acted negligently in administering the drug that killed Jackson. If found guilty of the charges he could face up to four years in jail.

Michael Jackson fans will be allowed into the cemetery where the late king of pop is buried on the anniversary of his death on 25 Jun.

A spokesman for LA police have confirmed an area will be set aside for Jacko's fans at the Forest Lawn cemetery, overlooking the mausoleum where the singer is interred.

Fans won't be allowed all the way up to the mausoleum, and efforts will be made to ensure the gathering in Jackson's memory doesn't hinder the families of others laid to rest there trying to get to their loved one's graves.

Sergeant Tom Lorenz told the LA Times: "We understand that Forest Lawn is working with the Jackson family for some kind of commemoration. We will be working closely with Forest Lawn to ensure the safety of those who want to pay their respects to Michael Jackson, while [also] ensuring the safety of others who are coming to the cemetery to pay respects to their loved ones".

Other plans to mark the first anniversary of Jackson's sudden demise are to be announced, though they will include the singer being posthumously inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall Of Fame in New York.

Before then, the late singer's former private doctor Conrad Murray, who is accused of causing Jacko's death by negligently administering a dangerous drug, will be back in court next week for an update in the case against him. As that court date approaches, the Californian Medical Board has requested a judge permanently ban Murray from practicing as a doctor in the state. Murray is currently banned by administering anaesthetics, but - while he has chosen not to - could in theory continue to work as a medic in California if he so wished.

Dr Conrad Murray was in court yesterday to face those involuntary manslaughter charges in relation to his involvement in the death of Michael Jackson. As much previously reported, it's alleged Murray was negligent in administering the dangerous drug propofol to the late singer as a cure for insomnia.

Yesterday's prelim hearing, which saw Murray formally face the Jackson family for the first time, covered routine matters. First, the judge hearing the case - Judge Michael Pastor - declared some interests (he has links to the District Attorney leading the prosecution), but stated he believed he would not be biased.

Then second, the court considered an application by the prosecution to have Murray's medical licence revoked pending the full trial. The doc's lawyers argued doing so would prevent their client from working, and leave him in a dire financial situation as a result (and struggling to pay his legal bills, presumably). Pastor decided to put off any decision re the licence until the next hearing in June, but said a bail condition that Murray not administer any anaesthetics would stay in place.

Jacko's estranged parents, and siblings Jermaine, Randy and Janet, were present but did not speak. Outside Jackson fans were more vocal in their criticism of the doctor. Although Janet Jackson did not speak at the court hearing, in an interview last week, while conceding her late brother had a drug dependency problem, she confirmed that she held Murray responsible for his death.

Ahead of the hearing, TMZ.com reported that Murray's team would argue that Jackson himself had actually administered that final deadly dose of propofol, rather than the doctor. However, Team Murray said yesterday it is too soon to comment on what arguments they will present when the case comes properly to court later this year.

The next court hearing is scheduled for 14 Jun. Murray, of course, is pleading not guilty to all charges.

So, as promised, I'm not letting a little thing like a bank holiday and the lack of a CMU Daily stop me from previewing the week ahead. Here are some of the top news developments, releases and events you can expect the next five days to bring.

01: Conrad Murray in court. Ten days ago the lawyer for Michael Jackson's former personal physician, Conrad Murray, said that the late king of pop's father Joe Jackson's new civil lawsuit again the doc was "like throwing a bucket of water on a man drowning in the ocean". Later today Murray faces that ocean, when he arrives in court to formally face the criminal charges of involuntary manslaughter that have been made against him. It should be a brief occasion, the main objective being to set dates for a proper preliminary hearing for the case later in the year. But at least some of the Jackson family are expected to be there, which could result in some drama, or at least a few severe stares. More in the CMU Daily and on the News-Blog tomorrow I suspect. 

02: Digital Economy Bill's second Commons reading. It seems certain that the controversial Digital Economy Bill - with its three-strikes proposals - will be slipped through the House Of Commons on the nod in the so called wash-up period ahead of this year's General Election. Nevertheless, the Bill will still get a second reading in the Commons tomorrow (6 Apr), which is the day Gordon Brown is also expected to request the dissolution of parliament ahead of the election campaign. It remains to be seen whether there is any noise made in the Commons about such controversial legislation being ultimately slipped through behind the scenes. Expect indepth analysis in CMU Daily and on the News-Blog this week.

03: Alchemy festival at the Southbank Centre. This series of events, which kicks off on Wednesday and runs through to Saturday, will explore the culture of India and its relationship to the UK through over 30 events spanning dance, music, literature, fashion, food and debate. Amongst the events will be a performance from AR Rahman with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and Desi Live, which will be hosted and curated by BBC Radio 1 and Asian Network presenter Nihal and bring together three of the biggest names in UK Bhangra - H-Dhami, Jaz Dhami and Juggy D.

04: Exciting new releases. There are a couple of new releases this week that I reckon are worth parting with your cash for. First up is 'Genghis', the new album from Nottingham-based rapper Cappo. A mere 4000 years in the making (according to the liner notes), it's packed full of smart lyrics and expertly produced tracks. Also on offer is the third EP, cunningly titled 'EP3', from Three Trapped Tigers, which sees the band push their experimental rock sound even further.

05: Thrilling gigs. Where should you be this week if you want to enjoy fun and good times? Well, in addition to the Alchemy festival mentioned above, how about you start things off with some Japanese death jazz tomorrow night (6 Apr) courtesy of Soil & "PIMP" Sessions at The Garage in Islington; then travel via the Molotovs single launch party at the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen on Wednesday night (7 Apr); and finish up at Dutch drum n bass types Noisia's album launch party at Fabric on Friday (9 Apr)? Which is all a bit London-centric I realise, but stop complaining, I'm writing this on a bank holiday.

The Five Day Forecast will be back where it belongs at the top of the CMU Daily next Monday. And be sure to watch out for the CMU Weekly on Friday, which will this week feature a Powers Of Ten playlist from CMU favourite Why?

Andy Malt
Editor, CMU Daily

As expected, Michael Jackson's father Joe has confirmed he plans to sue Dr Conrad Murray in relation to his role in the death of the late king of pop. Murray, of course, faces involuntary manslaughter charges over allegations he negligently administered the drugs that killed Jackson. Jackson Senior will sue for damages for the losses he has apparently suffered as a result of the wrongful death Murray allegedly caused.

Speaking to Reuters, Joe Jackson's lawyer Brian Oxman said yesterday he believed that the Doc's role in Jacko's death actually amounted to second-degree murder. Speaking about how Murray had given Jackson a shot of propofol to help cure a bout of insomnia, he told the news agency: "That is Russian roulette, that is loading six bullets into a gun with only six chambers. [Murray's actions were] reckless, and it amounts to second-degree murder".

Jackson Senior is expected to sue for loss of companionship, consortium and economic support. It's not thought any other members of the Jackson family will be party to the civil litigation, which could run alongside Murray's criminal case.

The bodyguard who alleged that Dr Conrad Murray rushed to hide drugs at Michael Jackson's home as the late king of pop was dying has been dismissed by the Jackson family.

Alberto Alvarez, who had the title Logistics Director, was at Michael Jackson's home on the morning the singer died, and made the 911 call. He told police that Murray wasted time removing drug vials from Jacko's bedroom as the popstar lay dying; a claim that implies the doctor knew he had been negligent to administer the singer with a shot of the dangerous drug propofol, the drug which ultimately killed him, and was keen to remove evidence of his negligence before paramedics arrived.

Alvarez's claims were revealed earlier this month when the Associated Press saw a copy of his police statement. But Murray's lawyer threw doubt on Alvarez's claims, noting that the security man had changed his testimony between his first statement to the police and his second. Legal man Ed Chernoff told reporters: "He didn't say any of those things [in his original statement], then two months later, all of a sudden, the doc is throwing bottles into the bag. Alvarez's statement is inconsistent with his previous statement. We will deal with that at trial".

According to TMZ, Alvarez continued to work for the Jackson family after Michael's death, but has now been dismissed. It is not known why he has been let go by the Jackson clan, nor whether his departure is anything to do with the leaked police statement made public by the AP last week.

Police apparently discovered eleven containers of the surgical drug propofol when they searched Michael Jackson's LA home shortly after his death last June. As much previously reported, it was a shot of the drug, administered by Jacko's private doctor as a cure for insomnia, that killed the late king of pop. Murray faces involuntary manslaughter charges for giving the singer the drug.

According to the Associated Press, who have apparently seen search warrant papers, police searched Jackson's LA home shortly after interviewing Murray. It's thought the doctor told officers they'd find a bag full of the drug at Jacko's property, and that revelation instigated the search.

Assuming that is true, it possibly contradicts allegations that the doctor tried to hide the drugs minutes after the singer's death and, rather, he did, in fact, cooperate with police throughout, as Murray's lawyer always claims. Or, perhaps all the drugs were in the one bag because Murray had hidden them there, but he knew there was no point lying about them once under police interrogation.

According to US reports, police also found dozens of tubes of skin-whitening creams in the same bag, in particular tubes of hydroquinone and Benoquin, both commonly used to treat the skin condition vitiligo. Of course, Jackson always claimed it was vitiligo that led to the whitening of his skin over the years.

Murray is due in court to face the involuntary manslaughter charges on 5 Apr.

Word has it lawyers for Joe 'father of Michael' Jackson will next week file a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr Conrad Murray, the medic accused of killing the late king of pop by pumping him full of propofol (well, by negligently administering a shot of the surgical drug).

Murray, of course, has pleaded not guilt to involuntary manslaughter in the criminal case relating to Jacko's death. It's not clear how much cash Joe will go for to compensate for the loss of companionship, consortium and economic support the Jackson patriarch claims to have suffered as a result of his son's sudden demise. It's thought that no other member of the Jackson clan will be party to the lawsuit, which is expected to be filed with the LA court next week.

Responding to the lawsuit reports, Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff was dismissive, describing Jackson Snr's action as "like throwing a bucket of water on a man drowning in the ocean".

The allegations are really mounting up against Dr Conrad Murray, the doctor facing involuntary manslaughter charges in relation to Michael Jackson's death. Following the News Of The World's publication of an emergency services report that suggests the Doc failed to tell paramedics he had given Jacko the drug that killed him - propofol - when they arrived at his home to try and save him, now the Associated Press has claimed Murray wasted time removing drug vials from the singer's bedroom as the popstar lay there dying.

The new allegations seem to come from one Alberto Alvarez, who was Jackson's Logistics Director at the time of the singer's death, and who was at Jacko's home the morning he died. Alvarez apparently paints a chaotic scene of Jackson's final minutes, in which panicked staff tried to help Murray in his futile attempts to resuscitate the singer. At one point two of his children apparently walked in as efforts to revive their dead father were ongoing.

The documents seen by the AP also allege that, once Jackson had been declared dead at a nearby hospital, Murray insisted he return to Jacko's home so he could remove a "cream" that the singer had been using "so the world wouldn't find out about it".

Murray is pleading not guilty to the charges against him, which basically say the doctor was negligent in administering the dangerous surgical drug propofol in a domestic environment as a cure for insomnia. The fact he failed to mention the drug until being questioned by police, and these new allegations he tried to remove evidence of some of the drugs he was using from Jacko's quarters, could all be used to support the argument that Murray realised straight away that the propofol had killed his client, and that administering it in the way he had was rather dangerous.

However, Murray's lawyer Ed Chernoff yesterday rejected the new allegations his client had tried to hide any drugs from paramedics or police after Jackson's death. He also threw doubt on the AP's source, alleging that Alverez had given conflicting testimony when interviewed by different police officers. Chernoff: "He didn't say any of those things [in his original statement], then two months later, all of a sudden, the doc is throwing bottles into the bag. Alvarez's statement is inconsistent with his previous statement. We will deal with that at trial".

Chernoff refused to comment on the NOTW-published paramedics' report because, he said, neither he nor Murray have seen the document. He added: "We can say unequivocally that Dr Murray did everything in his power to save Michael Jackson's life and that he fully co-operated with both the paramedics at the scene and physicians at UCLA Medical Center".

The News Of The World this weekend published extracts of the Emergency Service Medical Report documenting the involvement of paramedics in various futile attempts to resuscitate Michael Jackson last June, after they were called to the late king of pop's home following his cardiac arrest.

The report says that when paramedics got to the house where Jacko was living they found his personal doctor, Conrad Murray, performing CPR, having attached an intravenous drip to the singer's left leg. Jackson was basically dead already, but the ambulance staff tried to resuscitate the singer twice at his home, and a third and final time as they drove him to hospital. All efforts, of course, failed.

But, other than satisfying our morbid curiosity regarding every detail of Jackson's final hours, the most important part of the report is that it says Murray only told the paramedics that he had administered the sedative lorazepam and fluids to rehydrate Jacko after a sleepless night - ie he failed to mention the shot of the highly dangerous surgical drug propofol administered a few hours earlier which, coroners ruled, was what killed the pop star.

Murray, of course, admitted to having given Jackson the drug when later interviewed by police. The fact he failed to mention it while fellow medics tried some last minute life-saving suggest that even then he knew the propofol shot had killed his patient, and that for him to have administered the drug in a domestic setting as a cure for insomnia was irresponsible.

As much previously reported, prosecutors have charged Murray with involuntary manslaughter, basically accusing him of negligence in administering propofol. The doc is pleading not guilty.

Joe 'father of Michael' Jackson has won one his court battles relating to his late son's death, the one fighting for access to Jacko's medical files. An LA judge had previously postponed ruling on whether to hand over the medical notes to the singer's father, but at the end of last week decided he would. The Jackson estate had objected to Joe's claim, but the judge said there was no case to withhold the documents under privacy laws because Jacko was deceased.

It's possible Jackson Snr wants to see the medical records to get some sort of psychological closure over his son's premature demise. But it's much more likely he's putting together a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr Conrad Murray - the doctor accused of negligently administering the drugs that killed the singer - in a bid to raise some mega bucks in damages, presumably for the family rather than the Jacko estate, in which Joe has little interest or control.

Dr Conrad Murray, the medic accused of killing Michael Jackson by negligently administering the dangerous drug propofol, is expected to change his story with regards what happened in the crucial ninety minutes between the drug being given to the late king of pop and emergency services being called.

Murray previously told police that he administered the drug at 10.50am on 25 Jun. He said that he left the room where Jackson was sleeping to go to the toilet, and that when he returned a few minutes later he found the pop star unconscious, and so attempted CPR to resuscitate him. Said efforts were unsuccessful. Of course, that doesn't explain why emergency services weren't called until 12.20pm, nor why Murray is known to called another patient to discuss the results of a recent heart scan shortly before midday.

It is thought that Murray will now admit that he simply forgot to check on Jackson immediately after administering the drug, and didn't discover he was unconscious until shortly before the emergency services were called.

On the upside that means that Murray didn't make a routine phone call to another patient instead of calling an ambulance once he realised he had a dead pop megastar on his hands, which would have been a decidedly odd thing to do. On the downside, it presumably means there is a stronger case for negligence against the doc, because even if he wasn't negligent in administering the drug, he was in forgetting to check on his patient shortly after doing so. It may be argued that had he tried CPR on the pop star before 11am as he originally claimed he had, Jackson could have been saved.

Confirming the doc would be changing his statement regarding the events that occurred during that key 90 minute window, but without giving any actual details of what the new statement would say, Murray's lawyer Michael Flanagan said yesterday: "Dr Murray's timeline of events that day when Michael Jackson died is wrong. Doctors make mistakes, and that is what he did, and it was simply just that, a mistake".

As previously reported, Murray has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter with regards the death of Michael Jackson.

Michael Jackson's personal doctor is back at work in Nevada after being bailed by the LA authorities, having been charged with involuntary manslaughter in relation to the late king of pop's death. Dr Conrad Murray is allowed to continue practising while the criminal case against him goes through the motions, though there are some restrictions on the drugs he is allowed to administer. Presumably the authorities would rather he didn't go around pumping pop stars full of propofol, for example.

A spokeswoman for Murray said that he was making arrangements to practice at another doctor's office in Las Vegas, having shut down his own premises in the city last August, just as the negligence claims in relation to Jacko's death were starting to gain momentum.

It's thought the California Medical Board are preparing to remove Murray's medical licence for that state, but the doc also has licences for Nevada and Texas, using the latter for work in Houston.

In related news, an LA judge has postponed ruling on whether Jacko's father Joe Jackson can obtain copies of medical records relating to his son's death. It is thought Jackson Snr, who is currently tapping the Jacko estate for cash, is thinking about launching a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray and maybe others.

The doctor accused of causing Michael Jackson's death, Dr Conrad Murray, was officially charged with involuntary manslaughter yesterday. Finally.

As much previously reported, the LAPD have been investigating Murray for months, amid allegations he was negligent in administering the anaesthetic drug which killed Jackson. Jacko seemingly requested the drug - normally only used in surgery - in a bid to overcome chronic insomnia. There is also some question as to how Murray and Jackson had access to the prescription medication. But Murray maintains that he did not behave negligently prior to Jackson's untimely death.

It had been thought by many, including the doctor and his legal team, that Murray would be arrested by appointment last Friday, but a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney said the office had decided to delay action. Because what's a few days after nearly eight months?

Ahead of yesterday's charges, Murray's lawyer, Ed Chernoff, told reporters that his client is ready for his impending legal battle, telling reporters: "We'll make bail, we'll plead not guilty and we'll fight like hell". The doc was later released on $75,000 bail, after Judge Keith Schwartz rejected the $300,000 price requested by prosecutors as excessive. Murray is due in court for a prelim hearing on 5 Apr. If found guilty, he could face up to four years in prison.

Although Murray being charged is a big step forward in the long running investigation into Jackson's death, the late singer's family didn't rush to welcome the news, with his father telling reporters he thought involuntary manslaughter was too lax a charge, while his sister reckons the doc is just one of a number of people responsible for her brother's demise.

Speaking for patriarch Joe Jackson, legal man Brian Oxman told reporters: "This charge is a slap on the wrist. There's great disappointment here. [Conrad Murray] should've been charged with a higher degree of responsibility. What he did was reckless. It was a disregard for human life".

Meanwhile La Toya Jackson stuck with her conspiracy theory around Jacko's death, telling reporters: "Michael was murdered and although he died at the hands of Dr Conrad Murray, I believe Dr Murray was a part of a much larger plan. There are other individuals involved and I will not rest and I will continue to fight until all of the proper individuals are brought forth and justice is served".

Earlier in the LAPD's investigation it was thought police might target a network of dodgy medics who allegedly supply California's super rich with prescription drugs on demand for large fees, with the implication it was that network which provided the drugs that killed the king of pop. But it's not clear if that is really part of the police's case regarding the death of Michael Jackson.

A spokesman for the late Michael Jackson's personal medic Dr Conrad Murray has confirmed he is in LA and is prepared to give himself up to the authorities, who are reportedly now ready to charge him with involuntary manslaughter.

As much previously reported, the LAPD have been investigating Murray for months, amid allegations he was negligent in administering the anaesthetic drug which killed Jackson. Jacko seemingly requested the drug - normally only used in surgery - in a bid to overcome chronic insomnia. There is also some question as to how Murray and Jackson had access to the prescription medication. Murray maintains that he did not behave negligently prior to Jackson's untimely death.

According to the Associated Press, prosecutors plan to charge Murray and then push for a public court hearing to assess whether there is enough evidence to take the case to a full trial. This would skip the grand jury stage of the proceedings, a review of the evidence in private that is customary in cases such as this in the US, but not compulsory at a state level.

A spokesman for Murray told reporters: "Dr Murray is in Los Angeles for a dual purpose - on family business and to be available for law enforcement. We're trying to be as co-operative as we can. We continue to maintain that Dr Murray neither prescribed nor administered anything that should have killed Michael Jackson".

If and when criminal proceedings are launched against Murray, it remains to be seen if the Jackson family will consider launching a civil case for damages also. And if so, whether such a case would also name AEG Live as a defendant, given they hired Murray as part of their deal with Jackson ahead of his never-to-happen O2 residency. Although, of course, it was Jackson himself who requested Murray be appointed as his personal doc.

Gossip site TMZ say that an anonymous source in the LA Police Department has told them Dr Conrad Murray - the doc who administered the propofol shot that killed Michael Jackson - will face criminal charges in relation to the late king of pop's death. The police are said to be close to completing their investigations and are ready to press charges.

Murray, of course, has been subject to LAPD investigations ever since Jacko's demise last June. Murray has reportedly hired the services of lawyer J Michael Flanagan, who represented Britney Spears in her 2007 hit and run case, because he has previously worked on a case involving a death caused by propofol. Murray has in the past insisted he did not act negligently in administering the drug to Jackson, who seemingly insisted he be given the medication to help him sleep.

In related news, an updated version of Jacko's death certification has appeared online, which has been amended to show his death was homicide, and that he died of "acute propofol intoxication". The documentation was previously non-committal on the cause of Jackson's death.

Finally in Jackson news, one from the comedy lawsuit file. An LA resident is suing the Jackson family for £2 million to cover the costs of policing the Jacko memorial event that took place at the city's Staples Centre shortly after the singer's death.

The costs to the city caused by the event have proven controversial ever since it took place, with some calling on Jacko's estate and/or Staples Center owners AEG to pay for policing, street cleaning and the like. LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has always insisted that the city expects for large events of that kind to take place on occasion, and is therefore able to cover the costs itself.

However, LA resident Jose Vallejos disagrees and, this being America, he is suing the Jackson family in his capacity as a local taxpayer.

A new song, reportedly featuring Michael Jackson and Lenny Kravitz, has appeared on YouTube. Called 'Another Day', the song includes a verse which is also used in another of Kravitz's songs, 'Storm', and the musician has previously said that he worked with the king of pop prior to his death. The fact that at least one of the videos uploaded to YouTube has been taken down to due to a copyright claim by Sony would seem to confirm its authenticity. Have a listen here.

In other Michael Jackson related news, the lawyer attempting to get his father Joe a $15,000 a month allowance from the singer's estate has had his law licence put on probation for two years in relation to a 2002 federal law suit which the courts deemed should never have been pursued. And Conrad Murray, the doctor accused of causing Jackson's death, has also been in court to make a payment in a separate child support case. Police have not yet decided whether or not to press charges against the doctor over Jackson's death.

Police investigating the death of Michael Jackson say no one will be charged with anything before the end of the year, with some sources telling the LA Times that making a decision as to whether to file criminal charges at all is "months rather than weeks away".

As much previously reported, Jackson's personal doctor Conrad Murray has been accused of negligence in administering the dangerous drug propofol to the singer to help him sleep. It was that drug that seemingly killed him. Others may have broken laws in providing Jackson or Murray with the drug.

The LAPD's long drawn out investigation into Jacko's demise is still ongoing. Sources say that the medical data relating to the singer's death is complex, and that experts have had to be drafted in to help. Those experts still have work to do.

Murray, of course, insists he acted competently in the administering of drugs to Jackson prior to his death, even though that last dose of propofol proved lethal. He's also reportedly told investigators he was trying to wean the singer off the drug, to which he was addicted.

Either way, it's likely to be a while before the LA District Attorney decides whether to prosecute anyone in relation to the singer's death.

Meanwhile, Eminem, who has fought with his own prescription drug addictions in recent years of course, has said Jacko's dependencies sound similar to those he battled with. Shady says that it is all too easy to get addicted to dangerous medications when you're rich and famous enough that doctors will provide whatever drugs you demand.

Starting by observing that "it's hard to decipher what the fuck is true" with regards Jacko, he adds: "There's the story of how he woke up at whatever time and he needed something to go back to sleep because he has this or that and it didn't work - that's exactly what used to happen to me. I could just say, 'Yo, I need this and this and this', and they're going to give me whatever I want".

Some have speculated that the LAPD's investigation into Jackson's death has unearthed a network of medics and pharmacists who feed millionaire celebrities' prescription drug addictions for a handsome fee, some operating within the law, others pushing their luck.