Michael Jackson's doctor appears in court

Dr. Conrad Murray.Dr Conrad Murray pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in February

Michael Jackson fans are rallying outside a Los Angeles courthouse where the pop star's doctor is scheduled to appear for a hearing in his involuntary manslaughter case.



The fans, singing "We are the World," wore T-shirts emblazoned with Jackson's picture and the slogan, "Justice for Michael."

They also carried placards demanding stronger charges against Dr. Conrad Murray in Jackson's death.

Inside the courtroom, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor ordered Murray to return June 14, when a date is expected to be set for a preliminary hearing -- during which the judge will determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.


Michael Jackson's relatives are attending a court appearance by the doctor accused of giving him a lethal dose of powerful anaesthetic.

Dr Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

During a brief procedural hearing in Los Angeles, Dr Conrad Murray's case was assigned to Judge Michael Pastor.

Judge Pastor must set a date for a preliminary hearing and decide whether to revoke Dr Murray's medical license pending the trial.

California's attorney general has asked the judge to suspend the cardiologist while he faces the charges.

Dr Murray has previously been ordered not to administer any anaesthetics as a condition of his $75,000 (�49,050) bail.

According to US celebrity websites, members of the Jackson family turned out in force for the largely procedural hearing, led by his parents Katherine and Joe. His sister, Janet, and brothers Randy and Jermaine were also present, they said.

Several journalists and fans also packed the downtown courthouse, but officials refused to allow public access to the proceedings.

Dr Murray's lawyers have said he is "hanging on by a thread" financially.

"His ability to pay for his own defence depends almost entirely on his ability to continue to treat patients," they said in court documents.

He is alleged to have administered a lethal dose of Propofol and other drugs, which resulted in the pop star's death on 25 June.

According to US reports, Dr Murray's legal team is to argue that Jackson accidentally killed himself by injecting himself with Propofol.

At the upcoming preliminary hearing, Judge Pastor will decide whether there is enough evidence to go forward with a jury trial.

If convicted, Dr Murray faces up to four years in jail.