25 Sep 2011

Jackson trial jury selected

8:03 am on 25 September 2011

A 12-member jury has been chosen for the trial of Michael Jackson's personal doctor - more than two years after the pop star's death.

Seven men and five women have been selected from a panel of nearly 400 people.

Jackson, 50, died on 25 June, 2009 in Los Angeles.

Dr Conrad Murray, 58, has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter. The trial is due to start on Tuesday.

Dr Murray is accused of causing Jackson's death by giving him a powerful anaesthetic, propofol, to help him sleep.

The BBC reports the jurors were selected on Friday after almost six hours of questioning by Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor and lawyers for the defence and prosecution.

Half of the chosen panelists are Caucasian, five are Hispanic and one is African-American.

The BBC reports there is intense interest in the trial.