Conrad Murray, the personal physician charged with suspicion of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson, received a reprieve from a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Monday when a decision about his license to practice in California was put off until at least mid-June.

As Jackson fans gathered outside the downtown courthouse, Murray made an appearance before Judge Michael Pastor, who ordered the doctor to be back June 14 for a preliminary hearing. On that date the judge will also likely consider Attorney General Jerry Brown's request to temporarily strip Murray of his license to practice medicine in California as a condition of the physician's bail.

Jackson died from “acute propofol intoxication” June 25 after Murray allegedly gave him a fatal dose of the powerful anesthetic, according coroner's and District Attorney's officials. Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter and remains free in lieu of bail.

TMZ reported that Murray's legal team would argue in court that Jackson gave himself the final and fatal anesthetic does, although a coroner's office report stated this would be difficult given the hospital-like, intravenous set-up that Jackson used at his home. Murray's legal team denied the report.

As Janet Jackson looked on, Pastor revealed that he had been appointed by Brown when the latter was governor. He also said he had written a letter of recommendation for one of the prosecutors in the case, Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, who sought an appointment as a judge. He said both sides have 10 days to request that he be disqualified from the case as a result of any perceived bias.

-With reporting from Weekly wire services. Got news? Email us.

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