Michael Jackson Doctor To Claim Singer Killed Himself

Prosecutor thinks Dr. Conrad Murray's lawyers will say Jackson self-administered lethal dose of propofol.
By Gil Kaufman


Michael Jackson
Photo: Sony/ AEG

More than 19 months after Michael Jackson's shocking death at the age of 50, the only person charged in the case, the singer's former personal physician Dr. Conrad Murray, is due in court next week. And, according to a Reuters report, Murray's lawyers plan to defend Murray against a charge of involuntary manslaughter by claiming that the pop icon killed himself when he self-administered a large dose of propofol, a surgical anesthetic Jackson used as a sleep aid to combat chronic insomnia.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter and has admitted to giving Jackson propofol. Murray's lawyers have said the physician did not administer any drugs that "should have" caused Jackson's death. The investigation into his death was lengthy, lasting more than eight months, after which Los Angeles prosecutors charged that Murray gave the King of Pop a lethal combination of propofol and other painkillers and sedatives in the hours before the singer was found dead in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009. Murray faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

Reuters reported that in a Wednesday court session to discuss evidence in the case against Murray, Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney David Walgren said he thinks that the doctor's attorneys appear to be preparing a defense claiming that Jackson self-administered the lethal dose while Murray was out of the room.

Murray's attorney would not respond to questions about Walgren's statements. Murray's trial is slated to begin on January 4 with a preliminary hearing that will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial. Prosecutors and defense attorneys said they expect the preliminary hearing to take around two weeks.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655106/20101230/jackson_michael.jhtml

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'Black Swan' Star Natalie Portman 'Indescribably Happy' About Engagement

Portman recently became engaged to boyfriend Benjamin Millepied and they're expecting their first child together.
By Kara Warner


Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied
Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

It seems as though Natalie Portman has had a most festive holiday season, both on professional and personal levels. Not only is her film "Black Swan" garnering rave reviews and award nominations galore ("Swan" received four Golden Globe nominations, among others), but the petite actress recently became engaged to boyfriend Benjamin Millepied, with whom she is expecting her first child.

"I have always kept my private life private but I will say that I am indescribably happy and feel very grateful to have this experience," Portman gushed in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.

Portman and Millepied met during production of "Black Swan," for which Millepied was the choreographer and played the role of Portman's dancing partner. The two have remained quiet about their relationship, but reportedly started dating in early 2010. Millepied told Details magazine he was "blown away" by her acting abilities and that she was "amazing to watch," but didn't go into any details about their relationship. "It's ... everybody's asking us," he said. "We just want to keep things to ourselves."

The 29-year-old's baby is due sometime in 2011. In addition to her inevitable awards season appearances, Portman has several movies coming out in the new year, including "No Strings Attached" with Ashton Kutcher, "Your Highness" opposite Zooey Deschanel and James Franco, and summer blockbuster "Thor."

Portman's happy news comes at the same time as other romantic celebrity announcements including Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz's stepping out publicly as a couple and the engagements of LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibrian and Ginnifer Goodwin and Joey Kern.

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654953/20101227/story.jhtml

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Michelle Williams Says She'll Watch 'Brokeback Mountain' With Daughter

Actress says Matilda will see the film in which her mother and father Heath Ledger co-starred 'when she's ready.'
By Terri Schwartz


Michelle Williams
Photo: Getty Images

Michelle Williams already told MTV News that she'll show her daughter Matilda her racy drama "Blue Valentine" someday, but that's not the only controversial film the actress thinks she'll be proud to show her child. In an interview with Angeleno magazine, Williams said that there will be a time in Matilda's future when she will sit down and show her daughter "Brokeback Mountain," a film that has a special place in Williams' heart.

"I will watch it with her, when she's ready," she said of the gay-cowboy film in which she co-starred with the late Heath Ledger, Matilda's father. "It is hard to imagine what that would feel like, but one day, yes, we will watch it together."

When describing why "Brokeback" was so important to their family, Williams said, "I was just an actor who happened to be lucky enough to be in the right place, and it was the place where I met Matilda's father, and that is a lot. It was a lot. And it will be a lot for Matilda too, when she gets around to watching it."

Matilda is only 5-years-old now, but Williams told MTV that she is excited for the day when she can share her work with her child. She described "Blue Valentine" as a movie she could "stand behind" and has been thinking a lot about what Matilda's reaction to her filmography will be.

"I feel like I'm excited for the day when she's old enough to see it, because my aim is to make her proud that the time I spent away from her wasn't in vain," she explained.

Williams recently opened up to the press about Ledger's death. Her ex-boyfriend was found dead in his apartment on January 22, 2008, at age 28. His death was attributed to an accidental overdose of a number of prescription medications.

"I've found meanings around the circumstance, but the actual event itself still doesn't ... I can't find a meaning for it," Williams told ABC's "Nightline." "I can find meanings in things and people and relationships that have sprung up and friendships that have strengthened. I can find a lot of meaning in that, but not in why."

Check out everything we've got on "Blue Valentine."

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1655119/20101230/story.jhtml

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8 things travelers should watch out for in Bangkok

On the surface, we Thais seem relaxed and carefree. After all, ours is the country known as the ?Land of Smiles.?

But after two decades of firsthand Bangkok experience, I've learned not to be fooled by everyone who comes at me bearing a wide, toothy grin.

In addition to watching out for unscrupulous locals, there are the obvious pieces of advice to keep in mind, such as making sure street food is properly cooked (unless you want a case of tong sia) and avoiding dark alleys at night. 

Here are a few other Bangkok pitfalls you should watch out for.  

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Source: http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/visit/8-things-travelers-should-watch-out-bangkok-746748

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2011: The Year In Rock

Experts weigh in on who influenced the music industry more - Britney Spears or Lady Gaga.


Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1655109

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Elton John's Son, Hugh Hefner And iPhone Durability In Today's Twitter-Wood

Elton John has been receiving congratulatory notes from around Twitter-Wood this week, thanks to the birth of his son Zachary. Neil Patrick Harris even wants to pencil in some play dates as soon as possible. In other tweets, Olivia Wilde graciously accepted some congrats from Chris Kattan, while John Cusack attempted to clear up some confusion [...]

Source: http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/12/29/elton-john-son-hugh-hefner-twitter-wood/

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Usher's 'OMG' ' 'Kills It Every Night,' Says Tourmate Miguel

'There's so much anticipation for this song when he comes out,' Miguel says of MTV News' Song of the Year.
By Vaughn Trudeau Schoonmaker


Usher
Photo: Jason Merritt/ Getty Images

MTV News just named Usher's "OMG" the #1 song of 2010, and clearly we're not alone in our admiration. But what is it like to watch it performed night after night? Miguel, who is currently opening for Usher's OMG Tour gave us a little insight.

"There's so much anticipation for this song when he comes out, and he really gives the fans what they want," Miguel laughs. "He kills it every night."

Before his latest string of hits, Usher was out of the spotlight for a period of time in 2009, when he was dealing with personal issues including a divorce. Miguel finds his 2010 comeback inspiring.

"There was a period of time, when a lot of people didn't believe in Usher and thought he was finished ... just kind of going to ride off into the sunset and disappear," the up-and-coming singer noted.

With the release of Raymond vs. Raymond and its extended, companion EP, Versus, in 2010, Usher proved the skeptics wrong with chart-toppers including "OMG" and "DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love."

"He's such a tremendous example of perseverance and determination," Miguel beamed. "I was there throughout this album, so I've seen the adversity that he's had to overcome perception-wise."

MTV News' Top 25 Songs of 2010 have all been counted down. But the fun isn't over yet: We still want to see your picks in the comments below!

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Source: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1654059/20101210/usher.jhtml

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