With Michael Jackson’s mother, father and three siblings looking on, Dr. Conrad Murray began a slow process toward trial with the appointment of a judge and the setting of another hearing to handle pending matters in his involuntary manslaughter case.
Murray made quick back-to-back appearances in separate courtrooms Monday.
First, Supervising Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza assigned the matter to another judge for all further proceedings. Then, spectators, media and fans followed Murray down to a lower floor where he appeared before Judge Michael Pastor.
Abiding by ethics requirements, Pastor disclosed he had written a recommendation for Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, the prosecutor in the case who has applied for a judgeship.
Pastor said they are not personal friends, and he would not have a conflict in trying the case.
Pastor also said that 27 years ago he was appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Jerry Brown, who is now California’s attorney general. Brown’s office is seeking to revoke Murray’s medical license pending trial.
“This will in no way affect my ability to be a fair and impartial judge in this case,” Pastor said.
Lawyers have 10 days to file a challenge against Pastor if they choose.
Source: Associated Press
