A multi-billion dollar law suit begins today in Los Angeles pitting the family of Michael Jackson against one of the largest entertainment companies in the world.
A trial will decide whether AEG Live is responsible for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray. He is the man convicted of involuntary manslaughter after the death of the pop icon in 2009.
Alan Duke is an LA-based entertainment reporter for CNN. He says Jackson's children are due to take the stand. He spoke to Breakfast here on Newstalk.
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The central issue is did AEG Live hire or supervise Dr. Murray.
Jackson died 2 weeks before his "This Is It" comeback concerts which were organised by entertainment company.
The coroner ruled he died from a fatal combination of sedatives and propofol - a surgical anaesthetic that Murray told investigators he used to put Jackson to sleep almost every night in the month before his death.
The Jackson family at the star's memorial service
The Jackson family will argue that AEG executives knew about his weakened health and his past use of dangerous drugs while on tour. Their lawyers contend that the firm is liable in his death because they pressured Jackson and the doctor to meet their ambitious schedule to prepare for the shows despite that knowledge.
