Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray goes on trial

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Prosecutor accuses Michael Jackson's doctor of 'gross negligence' in its opening statement at Conrad Murray's mansla

Michael Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, has gone on trial in Los Angeles, charged with involuntary manslaughter of the singer.

Prosecutors say he acted with "gross negligence" and gave Jackson a lethal dose of the sedative propofol, on the night he died in June 2009.

The defence says Jackson gave himself too much of the drug, a sleeping aid.

If convicted, Dr Murray, 58, could face four years in jail and the loss of his medical licence.

"What we expect the evidence to show is that Conrad Murray repeatedly acted with gross negligence, repeatedly denied appropriate care to his patient, Michael Jackson," lead prosecutor David Walgren told the court in his opening statement on Tuesday.

"That misplaced trust [...] cost Michael Jackson his life."

The proceedings are being televised and broadcast online.

Focus on final hours
Hundreds of Jackson fans gathered the outside court as the trial began with opening statements from defence and prosecution.

Jackson choreographer Kenny Ortega was set to be the first prosecution witnesses to take the stand.

Mr Ortega was expected to lead the court through some footage from Jackson's final rehearsals as the 50-year-old star prepared for a series of comeback concerts.

That video eventually became part of a documentary, This Is It, directed by Mr Ortega.

A judge has blocked some details of Jackson and Dr Murray's lives being discussed at the trial.

Jackson's history with drugs and financial troubles, as well as Dr Murray's debts and personal affairs, will not come out in court.

Both sides were expected to focus on Jackson's last hours.

Extra dose?
Multiple witnesses, including security guards, paramedics and emergency room doctors are to be called.

The prosecution also plans to play a recording of Dr Murray's police interview two days after Jackson's death, in which the doctor says he gave the singer propofol for his insomnia.

The disclosure led to charges being brought against Dr Murray in February 2010.

Propofol is usually administered intravenously, often during surgery. Medical experts are expected to testify about the drug's effects, as well as how a trace amount of the drug was found in Jackson's stomach.

Defence lawyers are putting forward the theory that Jackson drank or somehow administered an extra dose of propofol after Dr Murray left.

The prosecution, meanwhile, will try to prove that Dr Murray was grossly negligent by administering too much of the drug and doing so outside of a hospital setting, without life-saving equipment nearby.

The trial is expected to last several weeks.

The jury comprises seven men and five women, one African American, six whites and five Latinos.

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