In a process cloaked in secrecy, lawyers in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's personal physician conferred with the judge Monday over the questionnaire that will help select the 12 men and women who will decide Dr. Conrad Murray's fate.
Judge Michael Pastor said the questionnaire falls under the case's protective order, meaning it will not be released publically before the jury pool fills it out. Lawyers are prohibited from talking to the media about it.
A questionnaire featured in media reports over the weekend was not likely the current document and was probably "related to an old draft" Pastor said.
During Monday's proceedings it was revealed that a list of drugs Murray prescribed to patients other than Jackson is in the hands of the prosecution. The list was not released.
Prosecutor David Walgren said he's not sure if the list has any relevance to the case, and he's worried about potentially violating healthcare privacy protections.
Walgren brought up the list, saying he wanted the judge's guidance. Pastor said he wants the issue presented in writing on Wednesday.
The prosecution also asked that Murray's defense team provide more discovery information on its 103 potential witnesses. So far, according to the prosecution, it has no witness statements for 76 candidates.
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Lawyers must fulfill discovery obligations 30 days before trial date. Monday is day 31.
There could be sanctions if the filing does not satisfy the judge.
The next pretrial hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
Murray had a waiver, and was not present Monday. He will not attend Wednesday's hearing, either.
The doctor has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop singer Michael Jackson, who died from an overdose of propofol in 2009.
Last month, the defense asked that jurors be sequestered to avoid influence from TV pundits.
Murray's jury selection process is scheduled to begin Sept. 8.
Correction: In an earlier version of this article, the trial was reported to begin Sept. 8. The jury selection process begins on that date.
