Michael Jackson's relatives have attended a court appearance by the doctor accused of giving the singer a lethal dose of powerful anaesthetic.
Dr Conrad Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. During a brief procedural hearing in Los Angeles, Dr Murray's case was assigned to Judge Michael Pastor.
Judge Pastor adjourned the case until mid-June, when he is expected to rule on whether to revoke Dr Murray's medical licence pending the full trial.
Dr Murray's lawyers are fighting that move, saying he needs to practise medicine to pay for his defence.
"He is, without fear of overstatement, hanging on by a thread," they said in court documents.
Dr Murray has previously been ordered not to administer any anaesthetics as a condition of his $75,000 (£49,050) bail.
According to US reports, Dr Murray's legal team is to argue that Jackson accidentally killed himself by injecting himself with Propofol.
At the preliminary hearing, scheduled for 14 June, Judge Pastor will decide whether there is enough evidence to go forward with a jury trial.
If convicted, Dr Murray faces up to four years in jail.
Dr Conrad Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. During a brief procedural hearing in Los Angeles, Dr Murray's case was assigned to Judge Michael Pastor.
Judge Pastor adjourned the case until mid-June, when he is expected to rule on whether to revoke Dr Murray's medical licence pending the full trial.
Dr Murray's lawyers are fighting that move, saying he needs to practise medicine to pay for his defence.
"He is, without fear of overstatement, hanging on by a thread," they said in court documents.
Dr Murray has previously been ordered not to administer any anaesthetics as a condition of his $75,000 (£49,050) bail.
According to US reports, Dr Murray's legal team is to argue that Jackson accidentally killed himself by injecting himself with Propofol.
At the preliminary hearing, scheduled for 14 June, Judge Pastor will decide whether there is enough evidence to go forward with a jury trial.
If convicted, Dr Murray faces up to four years in jail.
