Conrad Murray wants syringe prints in Michael Jackson case

Dr. Conrad Murray could use fingerprints found on a syringe under Michael Jackson's bed to prove the singer killed himself.

The lawyers for the accused medic - who is due to stand trial for the involuntary manslaughter of the 'Thriller' hitmaker, after he died of acute Propofol intoxication while under the physician's care in June 2009 aged 50 - are expected to claim the singer injected himself with the lethal sedative while the doctor was out of the room.

While the 57-year-old doctor has admitted to giving the star a cocktail of medications, he claims he didn't touch the broken needle - which was found in Michael's bedroom in his Los Angeles home - or give him any medication that would have killed him.

During a pre-trial hearing in Los Angeles on Wednesday (16.03.11), the legal team of Dr. Murray - who will plead not guilty on May 9 - requested to see the fingerprints taken from the syringe.

A source close to the case told The Sun newspaper: "The defence will be based around the claim Michael gave himself the fatal dose. While there was medical equipment in the room Murray clearly did use, he'll claim he did not touch this particular syringe. "It could prove a crucial and controversial piece of evidence."

The trial is expected to last for around two months.