Conrad Murray's lawyers appeal over jury isolation decision in Michael Jackson trial

Lawyers for Michael Jackson's doctor are appealing against a decision not to isolate the jury in the forthcoming manslaughter trial.

Attorneys for Dr Conrad Murray urged the sequestering of the jury because of fears that massive media coverage could influence them.

But Judge Michael Pastor who will oversee the trial, said he didn't think it would be necessary and said it would be unlikely the Los Angeles court system would be able to afford it, with costs likely to exceed $500,000 (£308,000). He also said it would be difficult to cut members of the jury off from their families.

Jury selection officially begins on Thursday (September 8) and the trial is set to get under way later this month, reports Perezhilton.com.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter. He faces up to four years in prison if convicted.

The trial will take place more than two years after Jackson's death from an overdose of a powerful anesthetic used as a sleeping aid.