Story highlights
The March 2009 video shows Jackson announcing his final tour will be only 10 concerts
Conrad Murray's lawyers say the video will corroborate another expected witness
That witness is expected to say Jackson was "furious" when the concerts were upped to 50
He allegedly expressed concern about physically doing so many shows
Attorneys representing Dr. Conrad Murray want the jury to see the video of Michael Jackson announcing his “This Is It” tour in London months before his death from a drug overdose.
In a motion filed Tuesday, attorneys for Murray – charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s death – wrote that at the March 5, 2009, press conference, Jackson announced there would only be 10 shows and “that it was the ‘final curtain call.’ “They said the video is material to the case because it “allows jurors to see Mr. Jackson’s mental and physical condition back in March 2009.”
The defense team said this will corroborate testimony of Karen Faye, Jackson’s make-up artist, who is expected to testify at Murray’s upcoming trial that the singer was “furious” when the number of concerts was increased to 50, and that he expressed concern about physically performing for so many shows.
Prosecutors have argued that she should not be permitted to testify, claiming that her knowledge was based on hearsay.
Lawyers on both sides of the case are due in court Wednesday to discuss potential jurors.
Opening statements in Murray’s trial, which will be televised, are scheduled for September 27. The trial is expected to last about a month.
If convicted of involuntary manslaughter, Murray could face up to four years in prison.