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A year and a half after Michael Jackson's death, Dr. Conrad Murray, aka the man allegedly responsible for killing the King of Pop, is getting a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to trial. The hearing is set to begin within a few hours.

We spoke with Mr. Joe Jackson who is currently stuck in Las Vegas trying to get a flight out for the hearing today. We asked Michael's dad what he thinks of Murray's defense claiming that his son killed himself with a fatal dose of propofol.

Joe tells X17online exclusively:

    "No! He had too much responsibility. He's a Jackson, he doesn't think like that. One month before he died he told Katherine THEY were going to kill him for his publishing catalogue. He said THEY were going to kill him. Why would he kill himself?"


As for what he thinks will happen to Dr. Conrad Murray, Jackson adds:

    "They're going to get the doctor off."


The trial is expected to last two weeks, with both sides presenting strong cases for what they are trying to prove happened on the morning of June 25, 2009. X17online has learned Mr. Jackson is expected to be at the hearing tomorrow.

Update: 8:45am - Dr. Conrad Murray has arrived.

Update: 8:50am - Katherine Jackson, Tito, Jermaine and La Toya are now inside the courtroom.

Update: 9:11am - Los Angeles County Prosecutor David Walgren gives opening statement, announces a number of witnesses will be called to testify to the vents leading up to June 25, 2009

Update: 9:36am - The first witness, Kenny Ortega, is called to the stand. He admits: Michael did not appear well at all, he was chilled, he was not in the kind of condition to be at rehearsal, he did not seem well enough to be there. He optned out of rehearsals, he wanted to sit out and watch rehearsal instead.

Update: 10:30am - Court in recess

Update: 10:45am - Hearing back in session

Update: 10:52am - The second witness Michael Amir Williams Muhammad, Jackson's personal assistant is called to the stand. He says he worked for Jackson for two years explained his duties, and was then cross examined by Murray's attorneys.

Update: 11:30am - Muhammad says Dr. Murray asked him to drive back to the Carolwood estate after MJ died, so that the public could not discover a special cream MJ used. The assistant says he lied to Conrad and said he gave cops the house keys. Murray then said he was starving because he had not eaten all night, and wanted to go back and get food. Phone records were then discussed.

Update: 12:00pm - Court breaks for lunch

Update: 1:30pm - Court back in session. Third witness Faheem Muhammad, Jackson's personal driver on the night of June 24 and June 25, is called to the stand to testify.

Update: 3:30pm - Faheem Muhammad asked if he ever was fingerprinted by the cross examination. The lawyer for Dr. Murray hinted at the facts all 3 of today's witnesses were connected and the "family gained control of the home later on Jan. 25"

Update: 4:00pm - Court is adjourned