HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, August 23, a preliminary hearing was set by a Los Angeles judge in the case against Dr. Conrad Murray.  Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson, who died in June 2009.  The preliminary hearing was set for January 4. Though it was initially set for an earlier date, it was delayed due to the continuing investigation and the coordination of witness testimony.  In attendance at Monday’s hearing were numerous members of Jackson’s family and fans admitted into the courtroom.

Murray is accused of administering to the musician a deadly dose of the anesthetic propofol, which is intended to put patients to sleep or stimulate a semiconscious state in times of discomfort.  The drug can be highly dangerous if not administered under the right conditions.

The doctor has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has stated that he did not give Jackson anything life-threatening.  His team plans to re-test the samples taken from the pop star’s home. An additional hearing has been set for October 26 to check the status of the case.