Judge to consider new lawyer for Jackson doctor

[February 24, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The judge overseeing the case of the doctor charged in Michael Jackson's death will hear arguments Thursday on whether a new attorney with ties to the singer should be allowed to join the defense team.

An attorney for Jackson's estate is among those expected to weigh in on whether Nareg Gourjian, a former associate of celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, can join the case.

Geragos represented Jackson from 2003 until 2005 but left the singer's case before he was acquitted of child molestation charges. Geragos is also expected to speak Thursday about whether he thinks Gourjian should be allowed to defend Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Gourjian has said he did very little work on Jackson's case.

Murray is not expected to attend the hearing.

[Associated Press]

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