Michael Jackson court battle begins as AEG accused

• Civil proceedings brought by family of Michael Jackson begins as Dr Conrad Murray refuses to give evidence in trial

• Jackson family reportedly suing concert promoter AEG Live for £26.5 billion over claims of negligence

Dr Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011 over Jackson’s death, has refused to give evidence in the case brought by the late pop star’s mother and his children.

The reported £26.5 billion claim against AEG, responsible for Jackson’s planned UK comeback tour, is expected to see Jackson’s daughter Paris, 14, given evidence alongside 16-year-old son Prince and their grandmother, 82-year-old Katherine Jackson.

Although Dr Murray is listed as a witness in the case, he fears undermining an appeal he intends to launch against his conviction.

“I’ve not been subpoenaed. I’m not interested in giving testimony in the trial,’ he told CNN. “I will invoke my 5th Amendment right, because... if there is a future trial I don’t want to have any issues of self-incrimination.”

Meanwhile, as proceedings began with jury selection yesterday, a statement from the Jackson family’s legal representative Kevin Boyle said: “The truth about what happened to Michael, which AEG has tried to keep hidden from the public since the day Michael died, is finally emerging.

“We look forward to the trial where the rest of the story will come to light.”

Katherine Jackson and her granddchildren Paris, Michael and Blanket, 10, argue that pressure from AEG led to Jackson’s death in 2009 from an overdose of surgical anaesthetic propofol.

The Jackson family are reportedly seeking compensation of up to £6.6 billion through loss of earnings from AEG, as well as an additional £20 billion in other damages, though Boyle dismissed the figures, saying: “No demand has been made by the Jackson family for $40 billion from AEG. That is just not true.”

AEG are expected to argue that Jackson’s addiction to prescription drugs led to his own death. The pop star’s acquittal on child sex charges and alleged propensity for “doctor-shopping” will also be raised.

“Mr Jackson is a person who was known to doctor-shop. He was known to be someone who would tell one doctor one thing and another doctor something else,” AEG lawyer Marvin Putnam said.

“We’re talking about Michael Jackson,” added Mr Putnam in a TV documentary to be broadcast on Friday.

“This is a man who would show up in pyjamas.”

“This is a man who would go to public events with a monkey named Bubbles.