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聽BBC學英文 Learning English - Words in the News

26 April, 2011 - Published 09:24 GMT

Jury selection for Jackson's doctor

People who could become panel members in the trial of Michael Jackson's personal doctor are being asked unusual questions to find a fair group. Dr Murray says he did not kill the pop star with a deadly dose of a sleeping drug. Rajesh Mirchandani reports:

"Have you ever considered yourself a fan of Michael Jackson?" That's question number 97 on a 30-page list potential jurors have had to complete. The document also asks if they've ever owned the star's music or if they went to see the movie "This Is It", about preparations for his comeback tour.

Would-be panellists have been asked whether they feel celebrities in Los Angeles get away with crimes because of their status and there are several questions about how jurors would deal with the intense media scrutiny this case will undoubtedly attract.

The trial of Dr Conrad Murray is due to start in early May. He denies killing Michael Jackson with an overdose of a powerful anaesthetic. That was nearly two years ago and the case has rarely been out of the headlines. Authorities have called nearly 500 people to take part in the jury selection process. They must make sure the panel is fair.

Rajesh Mirchandani, BBC News, Los Angeles

Vocabulary

a fan
a person who admires and supports other people or things

potential jurors
people who may possibly become members of the panel which decides on the innocence or guilt of someone in a legal trial

comeback tour
a group of shows or concerts that takes place a long time after the last set

would-be
possible, might become

status
position, importance, standing

deal with
handle, manage, cope with

media scrutiny
inspection, examination and enquiries into background information by journalists

undoubtedly
definitely, certainly, without question

denies
says it is not true

anaesthetic
a substance which makes people fall into an extremely deep sleep so that they are unable to feel pain