LOS ANGELES – Prosecutors want to delay disclosure of coroner and fire department records on Michael Jackson's death to parties in a civil suit to prevent information leaks to the media before the trial of his doctor.
In documents filed Wednesday, Deputy District Attorneys David Walgren and Deborah Brazil said media leaks would be inevitable if the reports are released for the civil case, in which Lloyd's of London is suing entertainment giant AEG Live over the insurance policy for the pop star's ill-fated concert series.
The prosecutors asked that materials including Jackson's autopsy photos remain sealed until the conclusion of the involuntary manslaughter trial for Dr. Conrad Murray.
Noting that Murray's case has received "significant, unrelenting media attention," they said any media leaks also would complicate jury selection for that criminal trial, which begins Sept.8.
Prosecutors predicted that those with access to the evidence would be offered money for any information. They also said some of the material sought in the lawsuit may never be admitted in evidence at the criminal trial.
Jackson, 50, died in June 2009, days before he was to go to London for the "This Is It" concerts.
Lloyd's had insured Jackson for $17.5 million for the shows. The insurer is challenging payment of the policy, saying they did not know Jackson was taking drugs before he died of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.
