Jackson family out in force

Michael Jackson's family plans to attend every court appearance of the doctor charged with the star's death.

Ahead of Dr Conrad Murray's procedural hearing yesterday, the family asked for no less than 15 seats in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

The hearing would assign a judge to try the case and setting a preliminary hearing date.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. If convicted he would face a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office, said the Jackson family notified court officials of their plans because seats need to be reserved for them in the courtroom.

"There will be more than a dozen, possibly as many as 15," she said.

Allan Parachini, spokesman for the Los Angeles courts, said a large contingent of international media is also expected and the sheriff's department is preparing for a crowd.

Jackson was 50 and about to launch a series of comeback shows in London when he died last June after being rushed to a hospital from his Beverly Hills home.

Murray, who had signed on in May at $150000 (R1-million) a month to keep Jackson healthy through the comeback tour, told police he had been treating the star for insomnia.

The star was found to have died from acute intoxication with the hospital anesthetic propofol and other sedatives as a contributing factor.