Michael Jackson Former Businessl Manager Dr Tohme Ordered To Testify in Dr Murray Trial

I don't think Dr Tohme is going to be much help to the defense of Murray being he already stated Michael was not a drug addict and never took drugs in his presence. All he can testify to is that MJ was having financial difficulties.  I don't see how that would implicate that MJ self injecting though.  The defense for Murray is grasping at straws  ~Qbee

LA (CNN) -- Michael Jackson's former business manager, Tohme Tohme, must testify in the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is accused in Jackson's death, a judge ruled Monday.

Tohme's lawyers argued that their client was not properly served the subpoena, but a process server testified she handed it to Tohme at his home on March 3. A used car dealer testified Monday that he was with Tohme at an auto auction at the time.

"I am satisfied there was service in this case," said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, after hearing both witnesses.

Pastor was more concerned about the argument that Tohme's testimony would be irrelevant to the Murray case.

Paul Takakjian, Tohme's lawyer, said the defense was "tossing out a fishing line" without any knowledge that Tohme knew anything that would help their case.

Murray's lawyers argued that Tohme is a critical witness for their defense strategy to prove that Jackson gave himself the fatal dose of anesthesia that led to his death on June 25, 2009.

Tohme had "intimate knowledge of his finances, drug use, his habits" in his final months, defense lawyer Nareg Gourjian said.

Jackson's "financial difficulties at the time is clearly relevant to our assertion that Mr. Jackson self-administered himself with propofol," Gourjian said.

While the defense argument "seems to be a lot of speculation,
" Pastor said he would let the subpoena of Tohme stand since he was Jackson's business manager at the time of his death. He indicated he would later consider whether to limit the subjects on which Tohme can be questioned.

The defense indicated it wanted to question Tohme about the pressure placed on Jackson in his final months to prepare for the 50 shows he was to perform in London for AEG Live starting that July. Gourjian said. "He (Tohme) negotiated the AEG deal and other witnesses say Mr. Jackson was very angry about this,"

Tohme will not cooperate with the defense by giving them an interview ahead of his testimony.

The final jury selection process is set for May 4, with opening statements set for May 9.

Source:  http://www.cnn.com/2011/CRIME/03/28/conrad.murray.trial/