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Jackson Doctor's Defense Wants Jury Sequestered

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An attorney for Michael Jackson's doctor says the jury in his involuntary manslaughter trial should be sequestered to prevent contamination by TV pundits -- specifically Nancy Grace.

J. Michael Flanagan referred in a pretrial hearing Wednesday to coverage of the Casey Anthony trial in Florida and said Dr. Conrad Murray's trial is expected to get even wider coverage. He said telling jurors not to watch TV will be insufficient.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said the courts can't afford to put up jurors at a hotel and he thinks it's unnecessary.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to causing Jackson's death on June 25, 2009, with an overdose of propofol and other sedatives.

The judge said the trial will begin on Sept. 8 with prospective jurors being given questionnaires.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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