EXCLUSIVE: Judge Considering Conflict Of Interest Objection To Dr Conrad Murray's New Attorney
Feb. 15 2011, Published 9:58 a.m. ET
Judge Michael Pastor has yet to approve Dr. Conrad Murray's new attorney, Nareg Gourjian to officially join the doctor's defense team as he gears up to fight manslaughter charges stemming from the 2009 death of his former patient, Michael Jackson.
As RadarOnline.com first reported, Jackson's former defense attorney, Mark Geragos has voiced concerns about Gourjian's appointment to Murray's defense team, citing a possible conflict of interest as Gourjian previously worked with Geragos, defending Michael Jackson against molestation charges.
In court Tuesday, Judge Michael E Pastor requested that Geragos attend the next pre-trial hearing on February 24 for "a fact specific determination" to ascertain if there is a conflict of interest with Gourjian repping Murray.
Judge Pastor also invited Michael Jackson Estate powerhouse lawyer, Howard Weitzman to give the estate a chance to respond also.
Gourijian was an associate of Geragos' law firm and worked on Jackson's successful defense during the late singer's infamous 2005 trial, where he stood accused of seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a 13-year-old male.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Gregaros is concerned that a former member of his team, who was privy to the King of Pop's personal information, is now working to defend the man accused of killing him.
"Mark is concerned about the conflict of interest because Nareg worked on Michael's molestation defense," a source told RadarOnline.com.
"Nareg was privy to details about Michael Jackson's life that were never made public.
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"This is very, very bothersome to Geragos."
In the brief pre-trial hearing, it was also revealed that there are 91 defense witnesses, and 107 witnesses for the prosecution.
Dr Murray is accused of causing the pop icon's death on June 25, 2009 by administering an overdose of the powerful sedative Propofol, with which Jackson was being treated to help him sleep.
The trial is set to start March 24.
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