Judge Refuses To Hear Jackson's Wrongful Death Case

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A wrongful death lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's father will now be handled by a state court after a federal judge said he doesn't have the authority to hear the case.

Joe Jackson's attorney agreed to dismiss part of the case against the doctor charged in his son's death, which prompted the judge to rule that the remaining issues needed to be handled in a state court.

U.S. District Judge John F. Walter said Monday that the only federal issue he could decide in the wrongful death case didn't allow the elder Jackson to collect any damages.

The federal judge also said he wouldn't delay the case until after the criminal trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the pop superstar's June 2009 death.

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