On Thursday, 53-year-old Michael Rico stood quietly outside the Los Angeles County Courthouse. Though the weather was hot, and court had already begun, Rico calmly remained, holding a signed photo of Jackson and a sign reading, "Soldiers of Love."

"I come here every day to support Michael," said Rico, a Hollywood resident who spent years working security for Jackson. "He was not only a friend, but I'm a fan as well."

Rico comes to the courthouse each day to hold his sign and show his support. He said he feels obligated to defend the late music legend, who he said he saw the day before his death.

"I know for a fact that he got killed by Dr. Murray," Rico said. "All the medicine shows Michael was not able to overdose himself. Conrad Murray gave it to him." Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: In Session's Cara Hutt
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Fans • Michael Jackson

Cardiologist Dr. Alon Steinberg testified that Dr. Conrad Murray violated the standard of care for Michael Jackson in numerous ways.

Dr. Conrad Murray's defense team dropped their claim that Michael Jackson orally self-ingested propofol. They now argue the pop star used a syringe and catheter.

Prosecution expert Dr. Alon Steinberg testified that Dr. Murray exhibited "gross negligence" in his decision to use propofol to help Michael Jackson sleep.

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Posted by: HLN staff
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson • Witnesses

After a long holiday weekend, the Michael Jackson death trial was back in session today.  And outside the court family and fans were back showing their support.

Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson stepped into court for the first time since honoring Michael in a tribute concert over the weekend.

Not to be overlooked, fans from both sides showed off their new signs and some even started "coaching" other fans on how to put their best foot forward for the camera. One of them called it "TV 101 Hollywood." Only in L.A.!

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Posted by: HLN Host Jane Velez-Mitchell
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson • Opinion

The jury was focused on their transcripts as an audio recording of what sounded like a drugged Michael Jackson played out in court.

But family and fans of Michael Jackson were not nearly so reserved while the recording made six weeks before Jackson's death amplified across the court.

"The audio was all over, it was like surround sound in that courtroom," said In Session correspondent Jean Casarez, who is attending the trial.

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Posted by: HLN's Amanda Sloane
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Evidence • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson

I've got a big week here in L.A. for the Conrad Murray trial and I can't wait to bring you Cedric The Entertainer's thoughts and reflections tonight on ‘Showbiz Tonight.’

Why Cedric?  Well he's getting set to host the Soul Train Music Awards in November.  As you might recall Michael Jackson was honored many times at that awards show and one of Jackson’s performance, which has always stood out for me, was when Jackson brought the house down in 1993 with 'Remember The Time.' (if you've never seen it, scroll down)

Cedric is a close friend of Michael's mom, Katherine.  In fact, she considers him like a son.  So you know he has some very special insight into how Katherine must be handling the trial – certainly a difficult time for her.

I was actually quite pleased to know Katherine got out of town over the weekend for the debut of Cirque de Soleil's "Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour" along with MJ's kids.  Next, they're off to Wales for the "Michael Forever" tribute concert.  So she'll be absent from court this week.  I know the concert has been controversial because of the timing, but I'm sure it will do Katherine and the kids good to celebrate Michael this weekend.

Complete coverage of the Conrad Murray trial live on HLN from gavel to gavel and on In Session from 9am to 3pm ET every week day.

Posted by: Showbiz Tonight's A.J. Hammer
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson

That was the key question Thursday, with much of the day's testimony coming from the first person to call 911 from within Michael Jackson's home the day he died.

Alberto Alvarez answered a volley of questions from both sides about the presence of propofol in Jackson's room, alleged efforts to hide the drug and how Jackson's children came to find their father lying motionless in bed.

Janet Jackson and Randy Jackson walk past security and demonstrators on their way into the courthouse.

Michael Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine, arrive to court.

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Posted by: HLN's Jonathan Anker
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Evidence • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson • Testimony

This photo of Michael Jackson's bedroom was presented to the court.

Deputy Dist. Atty. David Walgren displays a vial of propofol during Alberto Alvarez's testimony.

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Posted by: HLN's Jonathan Anker
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Evidence • Family • Fans • Michael Jackson • Testimony

This morning, about 20 people entered the daily lottery for 8 courtroom seats open to the public. So who's showing up early for a chance to see all the action? Here are a few of the people who won seats today:

• Irina Alginekina is from Siberia, Russia. She says that Michael Jackson had a message of love and unity.
• Molasses Jones, who was so happy she let out a yelp when her number came up. She is a songwriter who told us that she was mentored by Michael Jackson.
• Carolyn Horton, a manager for Michael Jackson impersonator Goward Horton. He was in the crowd on the first day of the trial dressed as MJ and the pair appeared with Jane Velez-Mitchell on HLN. Both of them have been to Neverland several times.
• Ron Pritchard, who loves Michael Jackson but says he looks and dresses like Sammy Davis Jr.
• William Wagener, a Santa Maria-based TV producer who believes Michael Jackson was falsely accused and maliciously prosecuted when he was charged with child molestation. He is planning a documentary on the trial and believes that Michael Jackson is being unfairly portrayed and will not get justice in this trial.

Complete coverage of the Conrad Murray trial live on HLN from gavel to gavel and on In Session from 9a to 3p ET every week day.

Posted by: In Session's Grace Wong
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Fans • Michael Jackson

I think it comes as no surprise that we are only days into the Conrad Murray trial and already emotions are running high. Not only is Michael Jackson’s family seeking justice, so are the legions of Jackson fans that gather outside the courthouse daily.

Michael Jackson fans are taking this trial very personally.  They want justice.  And perhaps when they feel they have that, they can have closure.

"Showbiz Tonight" spoke to some of those fans outside the courthouse. Many of these fans made it clear they are still mourning the King of Pop's death.  They say they’ve found strength seeing Jackson’s family walk into court daily. One fan says their presence is “heart-warming.”

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Posted by: Showbiz Tonight's A.J. Hammer
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Fans • Michael Jackson

Every morning, the court's public information officer holds a lottery for a few seats that will be available to the public. This morning about 25 people entered the lottery for 6 seats.

Among the winners of today's 6 coveted seats:

- Twiggy, a blogger, who has been following the trial and matters related to Jackson's estate very closely. She is a conspiracy theorist who believes that Jackson is alive and well.

- A German Michael Jackson fan who made the trip specifically hoping to attend the trial.

- Jackson supporter, Emily Battin who has won 2 days in a row.

- Another Jackson supporter Rita Bosico, who will be in the courtroom for the first time.

Complete live coverage of the Conrad Murray trial airing on HLN from gavel to gavel and on In Session from 9a to 3p ET every week day.

Posted by: In Session staff, In Session's Grace Wong
Filed under: Conrad Murray • Fans • Michael Jackson