In an eleventh-hour move, defence attorneys for Michael Jackson's doctor asked a judge on Friday to delay his trial so they can prepare for newly disclosed prosecution witnesses.
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor did not immediately rule on the oral motion but instructed attorneys for Dr Conrad Murray to file a formal motion by yesterday afternoon.
He gave the prosecution until 6am today to respond before a hearing later this morning.
Pastor was taken by surprise by the motion, saying he never expected to be dealing with such a development only days before jury selection was to resume, followed by opening statements on May 9.
"This court has expended funds in excess of six figures on this case," he said, adding he had delayed 20 other cases, including three death penalty trials, to clear the way for the Murray trial.
Pastor ordered Murray to attend today's hearing.
Among the new expert opinions proposed by prosecutors is that Jackson could not have caused his own death by swallowing the powerful anaesthetic propofol because it is not absorbed through the intestines.
At a preliminary hearing earlier this year, the defence posed the idea that Jackson, desperate for sleep, swallowed the drug while his doctor was out of the room. Propofol normally is administered intravenously for surgery.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said the prosecution's central theory remains the same.
"It was always our theory," he said, "that Dr Murray was incompetent, untruthful and caused the death of Michael Jackson."
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor did not immediately rule on the oral motion but instructed attorneys for Dr Conrad Murray to file a formal motion by yesterday afternoon.
He gave the prosecution until 6am today to respond before a hearing later this morning.
Pastor was taken by surprise by the motion, saying he never expected to be dealing with such a development only days before jury selection was to resume, followed by opening statements on May 9.
"This court has expended funds in excess of six figures on this case," he said, adding he had delayed 20 other cases, including three death penalty trials, to clear the way for the Murray trial.
Pastor ordered Murray to attend today's hearing.
Among the new expert opinions proposed by prosecutors is that Jackson could not have caused his own death by swallowing the powerful anaesthetic propofol because it is not absorbed through the intestines.
At a preliminary hearing earlier this year, the defence posed the idea that Jackson, desperate for sleep, swallowed the drug while his doctor was out of the room. Propofol normally is administered intravenously for surgery.
Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said the prosecution's central theory remains the same.
"It was always our theory," he said, "that Dr Murray was incompetent, untruthful and caused the death of Michael Jackson."
