The judge in the trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician said Wednesday he expected opening statements in his courtroom the week of Sept. 26.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor also said he wants jury selection in Conrad Murray's case to begin with the distribution of a questionnaire on Sept. 8.
"That is still the go-date," Pastor said. "I want to keep a short leash on this case."
The attorneys talked about witness lists. Some of the discussions were in open court and the rest took place in chambers.
The lawyers are set to talk with Pastor during an in-chambers telephone conference Monday morning.
Murray is charged with a felony count of involuntary manslaughter stemming from Jackson's death at age 50 from propofol intoxication.
Murray is accused of administering the powerful sedative to the singer to help him asleep, then failing to properly monitor him. But the defense has suggested that Jackson could have given himself a dose of propofol while the doctor was out of the singer's bedroom in a rented Holmby Hills estate.
