Michael Jackson manslaughter trial will be televised

Dr. Conrad Murray's trial for the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson will be televised.

The 'Thriller' singer's personal physician - who has pleaded not guilty to the charges - is currently on $750,000 bail and Judge Michael Pastor ruled yesterday (07.02.11) to bring forward proceedings to March 24 and allow television cameras to film the trial.

The judge has asked for the "absolute least intrusive placement" of TV cameras in the courtroom and sought detailed proposals from local news crews. However, he has banned them from filming jury selection.

The cardiologist was hired as the singer's personal doctor to prepare him for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 Arena in the summer of 2009 and Dr. Murray is reportedly planning to argue Michael's body failed him partly because he was "driven over the edge" by concert promoters to rehearse.

However, his lawyers are also expected to claim the singer administered the fatal dose of Propofol to himself when the physician was out of the room.

Court testimonies at the preliminary hearing last month alleged Dr. Murray had not appeared to know how to correctly administer CPR, had tried to hide evidence of the medication he had been giving Michael and that by the time he called medics his client had already passed away.

The 57-year-old medic will face a maximum of four years in prison if he is convicted.