Jackson family’s court time restricted by judge

The judge overseeing Michael Jackson’s wrongful death trial in Los Angeles has ruled that only one of the late singer’s siblings can attend court with family matriarch Katherine Jacksonat any one time. Janet, Jermaine, Jackie, Rebbie, Tito, Randy and LaToya Jackson are all expected to appear as witnesses during the civil trial between Katherine and concert promoters AEG Live, which began in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Monday (29Apr13), and defence lawyers argued on Tuesday (30Apr13) that there was “a risk in allowing any of them in the courtroom”.
They requested that Randy Jackson, who was attending the trial with his 82-year-old mother, was asked to leave the court, according to CNN.com, but Katherine Jackson’s lawyer Brian Panish told judge Yvette Palazuelos that the family matriarch needed one of her children to sit with her each day.
Palazuelos ruled, “He can remain, but you cannot have five in the courtroom.”
Katherine Jackson is suing bosses at AEG over allegations they were negligent in ignoring life-threatening health concerns about her son when they lined up 50 This Is It comeback shows in London. She is reportedly seeking more than $40 billion for loss of future earnings and other damages, and wants AEG bosses held responsible for hiring Conrad Murray, the medic who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for causing the singer’s 2009 death.
AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam revealed in court on Monday (29Apr13) that Jackson family members are expected to testify about their alleged failed attempts to intervene with their brother’s reported drug issues and their lack of knowledge about what was happening.
The trial is expected to last several weeks.