Los Angeles (CNN) -- Defense lawyers for Michael Jackson's last doctor met Wednesday's deadline for handing over documents to prosecutors in the involuntary manslaughter case, clearing the way for the start of the trial in 29 days.
Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with causing the pop star's death two years ago, was not present at Wednesday morning's hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court.
If jury selection stays on schedule, opening statements would probably be delivered during the last week of September, Judge Michael Pastor said.
Wednesday's hearing offered a peek into the previously secret defense witness list when it was revealed that a former office assistant for another doctor may testify about allegations that that doctor was giving Jackson drugs in his last months.
Jason Pfieffer, who worked as office manager and personal assistant for Dr. Arnold Klein, filed a legal action last week accusing the Beverly Hills dermatologist of supplying Jackson with prescription drugs during the last months of his life.
"Toward the end of June 2009, Klein told Pfeiffer that Michael Jackson was having trouble sleeping, and Klein said that he was going to prescribe muscle relaxers in Pfeiffer's name as a patient but that Pfeiffer should pick up the prescription and then arrange for Michael to pick up the medication from Pfeiffer," his countersuit said.
"Pfeiffer refused to comply with this scheme. Michael Jackson called Pfeiffer shortly after this conversation, and Michael asked Pfeiffer to find Michael an anesthesiologist. Pfeiffer told Michael that he, Pfeiffer, couldn't do that, and advised Michael to call Klein directly. Pfeiffer immediately called Klein and told Klein that he, Pfieffer, wanted 'no part in this.' "
Klein previously sued Pfieffer in federal court, accusing him of embezzling millions of dollars while he worked for him. Klein's lawyer has not yet filed a response to Pfeiffer's accusations.
Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff told the court Wednesday he intended to interview Pfieffer either Thursday or Friday of this week.
One potential roadblock to the trial starting on time was removed Wednesday when Deputy District Attorney David Walgren told the judge that the defense has provided a "much greater level of detail as to the status of the witnesses." Walgren had previously complained that information about 76 of the 103 witnesses on the defense list had not been disclosed.
Pastor made it clear that September 8 is still "our go date" for the start of jury selection, with opening statements sometime during the week of September 26. The trial would end around Thanksgiving, based on previous estimates by lawyers.
Several hundred potential jurors will be screened to determine if their personal lives would allow them to sit through a two-month trial. Those who pass that test will be given a questionnaire with more than 100 questions to determine if they are qualified to be jurors.
Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, was from an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol, combined with other drugs, the Los Angeles coroner ruled.
Murray, whom Jackson hired to care for him as he prepared for his comeback concerts in London, is accused of administering the fatal dose.
