Michael Jackson Trial New Updates Released on His 53rd Birthday

Michael Jackson, the iconic pop star, would have celebrated his 53rd birthday on Aug. 29, if he didn't pass away mysteriously on June 25, 2009. Meanwhile, on Jackson's birthday, more updates on the forthcoming trial of murder-suspect Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's doctor, have been revealed - the judge has already barred the singer's dermatologist Arnold Klein from giving evidence.

Murray's lawyers insisted Arnold Klein had injected Jackson with the painkiller Demerol that led to the singer's drug addiction but the judge thought it was not relevant.

The trial's jury selection will begin on Sept. 8. The opening arguments are scheduled to begin on Sept. 27.

The defense plans to portray Jackson as a drug addict, who may have injected himself with a lethal dose of the drug Propofol. As Jackson's doctor was hired to help him prepare for the planned concerts in July 2009, Murray was responsible for administering the anesthetic to the singer. Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Edward Chernoff, Murray's lawyer, said in court in Los Angeles on Monday that the defense's position was that Jackson was addicted to Demerol and died at the time of withdrawing from it.

But Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor barred Jackson's dermatologist Arnold Klein from testifying because the defense wanted to transfer responsibility for Jackson's death on him. And David Walgren, the prosecution lawyer, also said there were no traces of Demerol found in Jackson's autopsy report.

Moreover, five of Jackson's other former doctors have also been barred from giving evidence. But Allen Metzger, who had treated Jackson for two decades and anesthetist David Adams have been allowed to give evidence.

According to defence lawyers, Jackson had asked Metzger for intravenous medicines to help him sleep two months before his death, but the doctor had refused his request.

And Adams had given Propofol to Jackson on some occasions after dental work. A nurse, who treated Jackson in 2009, will also be allowed to testify in the court.

Furthermore, any witnesses in Jackson's 2005 trial and acquittal over child abuse charges will not be allowed to testify as it would distract the jury. The defense lawyers' request to bring up a 2003 raid of the singer's Neverland Ranch in California during which, defense lawyers said, Propofol was found, has also been refused.

If convicted, Conrad Murray will face four years in prison.