London 4/8/2011 4:15:00 PM
News / Entertainment

Conrad Murray doesn't want Jackson autopsy pictures shown

Dr. Conrad Murray wants to prevent photographs from Michael Jackson's "gruesome" autopsy being admitted during his trial.

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 in June 2009 while under the physician's care - have asked the judge to allow only an oral description of the post-mortem examination because the pictures are "highly prejudicial".

In papers filed this week, attorneys Edward Chernoff and Nareg Gourjian said: "These photographs are graphic, gruesome and highly prejudicial.

"Admission of these photographs to the jurors will jeopardise Dr. Murray's right to a fair trial because of the significant risk that the jury will base their decision not on the evidence presented, but on emotional grounds which play no part in a criminal action."

The defence lawyers have also asked that any personal information on Dr. Murray that doesn't directly relate to his relationship with the late singer - including allegations of infidelities and meeting women at strip clubs - is not included at trial.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor is expected to make a ruling on the defence requests on April 21.