Michael Jackson Doctor's Trial Delayed

Judge pushes start of Conrad Murray's trial back to May.
By Gil Kaufman


Conrad Murray
Photo: AFP/ Getty Images

LOS ANGELES — Though Conrad Murray's lawyers had been pressing for a speedy trial, a judge in the involuntary manslaughter case against Michael Jackson's doctor ruled on Wednesday to delay opening statements in the proceedings until May.

The Associated Press reported that Murray's attorneys consented to the postponement after they discussed the matter with prosecutors and both agreed they could be ready for trial by May 9.

According to a transcript from the closed-door session, though opening statements will not begin for several months, Murray told Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor that he did not want to forfeit his right to a quick trial, but agreed to the delay if screening of prospective jurors begins as scheduled on March 24.

"It is only acceptable to me if this is not strung along over a long period of time," Murray told the justice. "I don't want to lose my constitutional right to speedy trial." Murray — who has pleaded not guilty to the charges — reportedly has been in favor of having the proceedings begin as soon as possible because he is facing financial troubles, but he said he understands that the delay is necessary to allow both sides to prepare for the trial.

Pastor consented because he said he didn't want to lose a jury pool, and believed a month-long delay might let potential jurors shuffle their schedules for the case, which could take up to two months to decide. The judge has reportedly clashed with Murray's defense team in recent weeks, pressing them for answers about why they had not turned over more witness notes and other potential evidence to prosecutors in the run-up to the trial.

Cardiologist Murray was hired to be Jackson's personal physician while the King of Pop prepared for his planned 50-date comeback series of shows at London's O2 arena in the summer of 2009. The doctor told police that he provided the then-50-year-old Jackson with sedatives and the surgical anesthetic propofol in order to combat the singer's chronic insomnia. He said he did so on the morning of June 25, 2009, when Jackson died of what a coroner deemed acute propofol poisoning.

Murray's lawyers reportedly plan to argue that Jackson was already in weak health before he died, that it's unfair to blame propofol for his passing and that, if the anesthetic was to blame, the pop superstar may have given himself the fatal dose by drinking the drug in a panic.

A status hearing in the case has been set for this Wednesday.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1659100/conrad-murray-trial.jhtml

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Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share

Yahoo Messenger Big Brother censorshipWe've all thought it, but never dared think it could be true: what if Microsoft, Yahoo, and AOL actively monitor our instant messenger chats? What if mentions of 'bomb' and 'underage' are tracked and sent to law enforcement agencies? What if chat providers don't agree with the things we say, or the links we share, and filter or censor the content of our transmitted messages?

Well, it looks like our fears may actually have some basis in reality: Yahoo Messenger strips FilesTube links from instant messages. It doesn't tell either party that a URL has been removed from chat -- it just deletes it. Poof. FilesTube, in case you were wondering, is one of the largest file hosting meta search engines on the Web -- it indexes RapidShare, Megaupload, Mediafire, and many other 'cyberlocker' services.

It's fairly obvious why FilesTube links are being removed -- the Censor General at Yahoo is probably one of those perplexed primates who think all uses of BitTorrent are illegal -- but this situation poses a far more important question: is Yahoo censoring messages on the client side, or the server side. Does the messenger client itself maintain a list of 'blacklisted' words -- and if so, why are we not told that FilesTube links are banned? What other words and terms does Yahoo protect us from?

Continue reading Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share

Yahoo! Messenger now censors the links you share originally appeared on Download Squad on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://downloadsquad.switched.com/2011/03/30/yahoo-messenger-now-censors-links-raises-serious-privacy-issue/

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Michael Jackson Family Announces Tribute Concert

Lineup for October show in Cardiff, Wales, will be revealed August 3.
By Gil Kaufman


Siblings LaToya, Tito, Jackie and Marlon Jackson after announcing 'Michael Forever,' in Beverly Hills July 25, 2011.
Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Michael Jackson's family has announced a tribute concert to the late King of Pop that is slated to take place on October 8 in Cardiff, Wales. The four-hour show at the 75,000-capacity Millennium Stadium will be broadcast via satellite on pay-per-view and into movie theaters with a cast of big-name performers whose identities have not yet been revealed.

At the Beverly Hills press conference on Monday revealing the details of the "Michael Forever" show, Jackson family matriarch Katherine was joined by sons Tito, Jackie and Marlon and daughter LaToya; siblings Jermaine, Randy, Janet and estranged husband Joe were not in attendance.

"When I was told some of the names of the artists performing, I knew it would be fit for a king. If my son was here today he would feel the same way, and so I'd like to say thank you very much for helping to keep my son's legacy alive," Katherine Jackson said of Michael, who died in June 2009 of a heart attack caused by a prescription drug overdose.

According to Wales Online, the show will feature artists Jackson admired and will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the start of his solo career.

"I will be there along with as many members of my family that can make it," Katherine said. "It is intended to be the biggest and best concert in the world for many years to come." LaToya added, "This event is far, far overdue. He was an entertainer who I feel no one can ever stand up to or hold a candle to as far as his talent is concerned. This tribute will be something spectacular and I know that he would approve."

One of the show's producers said that despite taking place in a large stadium, the event will have a more intimate atmosphere with the building's roof closed. Proceeds from the show will benefit three charities Jackson supported: the Prince's Trust, AIDS Project Los Angeles and a cancer charity. The show's lineup will be announced on August 3.

As with many things related to MJ's legacy, there was controversy, as brothers Randy and Jermaine said they thought the timing of the show was inappropriate. In a statement, the two said, "While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death. As everyone knows, those proceedings commence September 20."

That date is when Jackson's former doctor, Conrad Murray, is slated to go on trial for manslaughter charges in the singer's death.

Jermaine attempted to put on a tribute concert to his late brother in September 2009, but the show fell apart after many of the top acts were unable to commit to the event.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1667905/michael-jackson-family-tribute-concert.jhtml

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Milo Thomas Bugliari: Alyssa Milano?s Baby Boy!!!

Milo Thomas Bugliari is Alyssa Milano’s baby boy! The actress finally popped after what seemed like the longest pregnancy in the world! Congrats to the happy family! I swear, Alyssa Milano was pregnant forever and a day! Girl finally popped today! She gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 9:27 a.m. – Get all the details at Radar Online. Billy Bob Thornton?s daughter denied new trial faces 30 YEARS in jail – get this crazy story at I Need My Fix. Oh, please. Snooki is too busy to Dance With The Stars. Sad when a dlister is turning down DWTS. They totally can’t nab actual stars! Celebrity Smack I’m sure she did!! Rob Kardashian says his mom forced him to do ?DWTS? Bumpshack. Evan Rachel Wood looks stunning on the Red Carpet at the Venice Film Festival – I’m Not Obsessed. Rebecca Black attended the VMA?s too? Who invited her? – Swanky Celebs Brooklyn Decker: former swimsuit model making waves in Hollywood – The Fashion Spot Justin Bieber in fender bender – he’s okay people! – Celeb Teen Laundry The Amazing Race: Season 19 contestants announced – Fit Fab Celeb Well, a huge congratulations to Alyssa Milano. She is [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RightCelebrity/~3/f79cEjS6M6E/

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AT&T May Give up 25% of T-Mobile To Get Government Approval [At&t]

AT&T wants to acquire T-Mobile in the worst way. The carrier is so desperate that it may sell 25% of T-Mobile's business if the acquisition is given the green light by the FCC and the DOJ. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/IP-pWhbl8w8/att-may-give-up-25-of-t+mobile-to-get-government-approval

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Ed O'Neill & His Hollywood Stars

Ed O'Neill received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday (August 30). Ed was joined by his wife Catherine and their two daughters Sophia and Claire. Also in attendance was Ed's on-screen loves - his Modern Family wife, Sofia Vergara (a.k.a. Gloria Delgado-Pritchett), and his Married... with Children wife, Katey Sagal (a.k.a. the fabulous Peggy Bundy).

The 65-year-old iconic sitcom star said his daughter encouraged him to accept this great honor.

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Source: http://celebritybabyscoop.com/2011/09/02/ed-oneill-his-hollywood-stars

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White House's 'We The People' e-petition website provides a more perfect venue for trolling (video)

Citizens! Following a tradition set down by the British, the White House will soon launch its own e-petition website. "We The People" will work like this: anyone 13 or older can set up a petition -- but before it's visible on the site they need to get 150 grass-roots signatures. If an entreaty receives 5,000 or more signatures within 30 days, it is guaranteed to receive an official response from a White House staffer. Does the thought of direct access to the executive excite you like a West Wing marathon? You'll probably enjoy the introductory video we've included behind the break.

Continue reading White House's 'We The People' e-petition website provides a more perfect venue for trolling (video)

White House's 'We The People' e-petition website provides a more perfect venue for trolling (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/02/white-houses-we-the-people-e-petition-website-provides-a-more/

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Diamond Wireless Range Extender WR300n Review

Would you like to extend the range of your wireless network?  Do you have WiFi dead spots around your house?  Do you have an Internet capable TV that only has an ethernet port and your computer is in another room?   Maybe you don’t even have a WiFi network in your house and need a way to [...]

Source: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/09/01/diamond-wireless-range-extender-wr300n-review/

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Apple Resurrects Final Cut Studio, Will Sell It For $999 (Updated) [Apple]

It appears that the public outcry against Final Cut Pro X has been so great that Apple is putting the legacy version, Final Cut Studio, back on sale. It's reportedly available for $999 from telesales only. More »


Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/tkEnayX0JQQ/apple-resurrects-final-cut-studio-will-sell-it-for-999

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