Judge Issues Gag Order in Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Judge Michael E. Pastor (AP)
A Los Angeles judge has ordered under penalty of contempt and other sanctions that both lawyers and their employees connected to the manslaughter trial against Dr. Conrad Murray may not publicly discuss the case, Fox News has learned.
Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said Friday that prosecutors and lawyers for Dr. Conrad Murray were ordered not to comment outside of their respective legal teams.
Pastor didn't specify the reason for his decision. However, he called Matt Alford, a Houston lawyer who is a partner with Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, to return Friday afternoon.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Alford appeared on NBC's "The Today Show" on Friday, in which he said the jury was smart enough to know prosecutors haven't proven their case.
Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death in June 2009.
The Associated Press and Fox News' Lee Ross contributed to this report.