Jury selection resumes in Conrad Murray trial

Friday, March 25, 2011

In this July 7, 2006 photo, Dr. Conrad Murray poses for a photo as he opens the Acres Homes Cardiovascular Center at the Tidwell Professional Building, in Houston. (AP Photo / Houston Chronicle)

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The second day of jury selection began on Friday in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

The 160 potential jurors were called to the courtroom in downtown Los Angeles. When asked if anyone had not heard about the case, only one woman raised her hand.

At this stage, potential jurors are being asked about their availability to serve. The trial is expected to take up to two months.

Murray says he is not guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson. Attorneys are concerned about gathering a pool of potential jurors who can fairly try him.

After potential jurors complete the hardship round, they go on to complete the 29-page confidential questionnaire designed to identify extreme biases. All are warned that the responses to all questions must be true and honest under the penalty of perjury.

A false statement could lead to a sentence of 4 years in prison. That term is potentially the same length of time Murray would face if he is convicted.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/entertainment&id=8034896