Katherine Jackson’s Lawsuit Against AEG Goes Forward

Katherine Jackson holds promoter AEG responsible for son’s death

A judge allowed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's mother to proceed against concert promoter AEG Live, the company she blames for his death, Reuters reports.

Katherine Jackson's lawsuit accuses AEG of being responsible for medical decisions by Jackson's physician, Dr. Conrad Murray.

Also read: Michael Jackson's Doctor to Stand Trial on Involuntary Manslaughter Charge

Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death from an overdose of propofol, a powerful sedative the singer used as a sleep aid. Murray has pleaded not guilty, telling the judge in his case, "Your honor, I am an innocent man."

An AEG spokesman has told ABC News that the company, a subsidiary of Anschutz Entertainment Group, was in talks about paying Murray for taking care of Jackson, but that no agreement was reached before Jackson died on June 25, 2009.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Yvette Palazuelos on Wednesday denied a motion by AEG to dimiss the case.

But the judge said Katherine Jackson's lawyers would need to show evidence of fraud, negligent infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy. Palazuelos said it wasn't enough to show AEG and Murray worked to try to get Jackson in performance shape.

"If the object was to get him to rehearsals, I don't see that as a wrongful or illegal act," she said, according to Reuters.

AEG was promoting Jackson's "This Is It," a series of 50 comeback concerts he was in the midst of rehearsals for when he died.

Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial is scheduled to begin on March 28. If convicted he faces up to four years in prison.

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