Michael Jackson Doctor Conrad Murray To Be Arraigned

Murray to head to trial in death of Jackson following Tuesday hearing.
By Gil Kaufman


Dr. Conrad Murray
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray, the only person charged in the June 2009 death of Michael Jackson, will be arraigned on Tuesday morning (January 25) on an involuntary manslaughter charge. Murray, who was serving as the 50-year-old pop icon's personal physician at the time, is expected to plead not guilty in the case.

According to CNN, the hearing in front of Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, is only slated to last a few minutes. While Murray has the right to demand a trial within 60 days, it is not expected that a date will be set for one on Tuesday.

After more than a week of testimony, Pastor ruled during a preliminary hearing in early January that there was enough evidence to bring Murray's case to trial. In the meantime, Murray remains free on $75,000 bond, but Pastor blocked the doctor from using his California medical license until the trial is completed.

"Michael is not with us today because of an utterly inept, incompetent, reckless doctor — the defendant Conrad Murray," Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said in his final arguments in the preliminary hearing, where a series of witnesses recounted Murray's actions during the minutes and hours before and after Jackson's death. The King of Pop died as a result of what the Los Angeles County coroner's office called acute propofol poisoning, a reference to a powerful surgical anesthetic that the singer reportedly requested as a sleep aid to combat chronic insomnia.

While prosecutors appear to be building a case that Murray acted recklessly in attending to Jackson in the singer's final hours, CNN reported that the doctor's lawyers appeared satisfied with the results of the preliminary hearing thanks to some testimony they got from prosecution witnesses that might help raise some reasonable doubt about their client's guilt at trial.

"I think the prosecution is going to change their tactics in this case," defense lawyer J. Michael Flanagan said after the preliminary hearing. "It's not the same as what they gave in opening statements." The defense reportedly is set to argue that it was Jackson himself who administered the final, fatal dose of propofol after waking in a panic from a fitful night of sleep. One of the prosecution's expert witnesses in the case admitted under cross-examination that he made a math mistake and that the recalculation supports the defense theory that Jackson may have given himself the dose of propofol that killed him.

CNN reported that Dr. Richard Ruffalo, an anesthesiologist hired by the prosecution, was the last witness to take the stand and his admission about making a mistake on the calculation of the level of propofol in Jackson's stomach fluid reportedly elicited gasps from the members of Jackson's family who were sitting in the hearing room.

Murray's lawyers have suggested that a frustrated Jackson may have poured the anesthetic — which is administered intravenously — into his juice bottle while the doctor was out of his bedroom. "Now it doesn't make sense unless he ingested it orally in a huge amount," Ruffalo testified. The anesthesiologist added that Murray could still be at fault for leaving dangerous drugs near a patient who was allegedly addicted to sedatives and sleep aids.

"It's like leaving a syringe next to a heroin addict," Ruffalo stated. "If he's not getting what he wants, when you leave the room he might reach for it himself ... Either way, it doesn't matter. He abandoned his patient and didn't resuscitate appropriately." Ruffalo said Murray should have anticipated that Jackson, who had previously asked to inject himself with the drug, might potentially administer it to himself. "He gets upset if he doesn't get his milk," he said, explaining that Jackson often referred to propofol as his "milk."

In addition, the pathologist who conducted Jackson's autopsy acknowledged it was possible, though improbable, that the singer gave himself the fatal propofol dose. Speaking to police two days after Jackson's death, Murray told investigators that a sleepless Jackson had begged him for more propofol on the day he died. The King of Pop was in the midst of a grueling series of rehearsals for his planned "This Is It" comeback shows at London's O2 Arena at the time of his death.

A civil lawsuit filed last year by Jackson's mother against the producer of the concerts, AEG Live, alleged that the company had warned the entertainer several weeks before he died that if he missed any more rehearsals they were going to "pull the plug" on the gigs, which the cash-strapped Jackson was depending on to revive his stalled career.

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1656583/michael-jackson-doctor-arraigned.jhtml

Mandy Moore Maria Bello Maria Menounos Maria Sharapova Mariah Carey

Justin Bieber's 'CSI' Appearance: A Cheat Sheet

Everything you need to know before Thursday's (February 17) episode.
By Jocelyn Vena


Justin Bieber appears on "CSI"
Photo: CBS

Last September, Justin Bieber made his first of two appearances on "CSI." In the episode, he played a troubled teen named Jason McCann. Amid plot twists and bomb explosions, fans were left wondering if young Jason was more trouble than he seemed.

Bieber returned to the "CSI" set in January, and while on set, he was hospitalized with an allergic reaction. But Bieber was fine enough to finish shooting his big second episode, "A Target of Obsession," which airs Thursday night (February 17).

"CSI" star George Eads, who plays Bieber's foil in the episode (Nick Stokes), revealed that Jason wouldn't live to see another day by the episode's end. "One of my crew guys goes, 'Man, you're going to split the country down the middle — half of them are going to hate you and half of them are going to love you,' " Eads said. "In the context of the story, he deserved it. I think in a way I was also at fault for killing Taylor Swift, too. Man, I'm going to have to stay away from a lot of people. Tell Miley Cyrus not to come on our show."

Bieber told MTV News earlier this month that he really loved being involved in the whole process of making the episode, including his fake death.

"Yeah, I get killed in the episode. I definitely get murdered," he revealed. "It was really cool because I actually — I get shot, like, several times," he revealed. "I fall down, and there's fake blood and everything. It's crazy how the whole process is."

Bieber also shared that he enjoyed stretching his bad-boy muscle for the part. "I'm not a bad person, so it's funny to play a bad person," he explained.

As for why the pop star chose "CSI" for his acting debut, he said, "I wanted to do something that's going to be challenging for me, and it's definitely going to be. It has been."

Will you be watching Justin Bieber on "CSI"? Tell us below!

Related Videos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1658255/justin-bieber-csi.jhtml

Marla Sokoloff Marley Shelton Mary Elizabeth Winstead Megan Ewing Megan Fox

Lady Gaga's Best Awards-Show Arrivals: From Kermit To The Egg

Gaga has always graced red carpets in completely over-the-top ways.
By Jocelyn Vena


Lady Gaga arrives at the Grammy Awards on Sunday
Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Lady Gaga arrived at the Grammy Awards red carpet on Sunday night in an egg designed by powerhouse fashion houses Hussein Chalayan and House of Mugler. And we'd expect nothing less from Gaga, who has a long list of unusual and over-the-top awards-show entrances in her short career.

Check out photos of Lady Gaga's most memorable entrances.

Back in September, Gaga hit the white carpet of the 2010 VMAs in a gown designed by late friend Alexander McQueen and was joined by several servicemen and women who had been discharged from the U.S. Air Force and Army for being openly gay or bisexual. "These soldiers that are with me today have all been discharged from the Air Force or Army, or opted to leave on their own. ... Their stories are truly inspiring, and in my opinion — and as so many young people around the world believe — 'don't ask, don't tell' is wrong, it's sick, it's immoral," she explained of her choice to include them in her appearance.

Later in the night she appeared in the press room wearing the now-famous meat dress and pointed out its connection to her earlier companions. "If we don't stand up for what we believe in and if we don't fight for our rights, pretty soon we're going to have as much rights as the meat on our own bones," Gaga explained. "And I am not a piece of meat."

At last year's Grammy Awards, Gaga was out-of-this world in a sparkly lavender and silver dress that looked like a planet with orbiting rings. What did the spacey outfit mean? "The series of pieces Mr. Armani created for me are truly iconic; they represent not only beautiful fashion, but my spirit and essence as an artist," she said. "Mr. Armani is a fashion legend, and tonight would not have been the same without his touch, and his wonderful team."

Gaga, who once wore a dress made of Kermit the Frogs, arrived at the 2009 VMAs with Kermit himself as her date for the big show. It was the first time that Gaga had created such a major spectacle for herself at an awards show. "He's been a really good date," Gaga joked to MTV News. "It's our first date, but we've been eyeing each other for a while."

And on Sunday night, though she didn't do interviews as her egg was being carried into the Staples Center, the art piece spoke for itself.

"She's born this way, so maybe she's being born again!" MTV News red-carpet correspondent Snooki noted after Gaga waved to her from inside her shell. Of course!

What's your favorite of Lady Gaga's many awards show fashion statements? Share your thoughts in the comments.

For more Grammy Awards analysis, interviews, fashion and more, stick with MTV News!

Related Photos Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1657931/lady-gaga-egg-arrival-grammys.jhtml

Ali Larter Alice Dodd Alicia Keys Alicia Witt Amanda Bynes

Scott Disick, Kourtney Kardashian Engaged?

It looks like there could be another Kardashian walking down the isle, that is of course if the rumors that Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian are engaged are true. So is there any truth to this latest rumor that the on again off again duo are getting hitched, find out when you keep reading. Is [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/hPCyfhTycxE/

Janet Jackson January Jones Jennie Finch Jennifer Aniston Jennifer Gareis

Celebrity Hairstyle: Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian hairstyle

On Thursday (December 30), Kim Kardashian was spotted out at the local gym in Los Angeles, CA. Showcasing an interesting hairstyle, the E! reality babe was clad in a black bodysuit as she passed by paparazzi upon finishing off the morning workout. Enjoy the pictures of Kim Kardashian out for her day's workout. [gallery=747]

Source: http://www.celebritygossiphollywood.com/celebrities/kim-kardashian-celebrities/celebrity-hairstyle-kim-kardashian-2/

Diora Baird Dita Von Teese Dominique Swain Donna Feldman Drea de Matteo

Alessandra Ambrosio: Brazil Bound Burger Babe

Spending the day flying the friendly skies, Alessandra Ambrosio set off out of LAX Airport in Los Angeles on Thursday morning (February 17).

Chowing down before taking her seat on the Brazil bound aircraft, the Victoria's Secret beauty tweeted, "My favorite #innoutburger before a 12 hours flight to brasil!!!!"

The previous night, Miss Ambrosio seemed to be looking to blow off some steam, as she was spotted partying at Trousdale nightclub into the wee hours of the morning.

Clearly having a good time, the Brazilian supermodel looked a bit tipsy as she made her exit - getting some help from one of one of her party pals along the way.

Source: http://celebrity-gossip.net/alessandra-ambrosio/alessandra-ambrosio-brazil-bound-burger-babe-476854

Tina Fey Tricia Helfer Tricia Vessey Trista Rehn Tyra Banks

Beyonce's Mom Says Daughter's Style Has Always Been 'Edgy'

'It's just a result of her constantly evolving,' Tina Knowles says of the fashion in Beyonce's "I Am ... World Tour" DVD concert special.
By Jocelyn Vena


Beyoncé
Photo: Paul Warner/ WireImage

Beyoncé has never been shy about hitting the stage in stunning costumes. Her appearance has always been a mixture of showgirl sparkle and pop star razzle-dazzle. And her style is on full display in her new DVD concert special, "I Am ... World Tour."

Her mom and stylist, Tina Knowles, said that while the looks may seem a bit edgier than what fans have seen from the singer in the past, she thinks that her superstar daughter has always been ahead of the style curve.

"Well, the wonderful Thierry Mugler designed the costumes, and I actually worked on some of the dancers and the band, and it was just amazing to work with him because he is so creative," Knowles told MTV News at a New York screening of the special. "So it's just a result of her constantly evolving, but she's been edgy. It's funny for people to say she went more edgy, but she's been wearing body suits and that type of thing."

And while Knowles may act as her daughter's stylist and costume designer, she says that Bey's style decisions are all her own. "Well, we discussed her working with Thierry Mugler, and I'm the biggest fan. And so she had seen some of the fashions and she loved it," she said. "So we always discuss things, but it's her decision, it's her career."

Beyoncé, who also directed the concert special , said it gave her a better understanding of the filmmaking process. "It was hard work," she said. "I learned so much. I have a new respect for directors and I think I would like to do more of it. ... Well, I've done some co-directing for music videos [but] this was definitely a big step for me, and I'm so thrilled."

Related Artists

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1653216/beyonces-mom-daughters-style-has-always-been-edgy.jhtml

Kate Beckinsale Kate Bosworth Kate Groombridge Kate Hudson Kate Mara