The tales of Jackson's promise, pain

The panel that will determine Dr Conrad Murray’s fate also got a sense of Jackson’s stardom after one of the promoters testified that after the singer’s 50 comeback shows planned for London sold out, there was still demand for 50 more.

Jackson would never return to the stage, dying unexpectedly in June 2009 at 50. Prosecutors drove the point home early in opening statements Tuesday, showing jurors a picture of a lifeless Jackson lying on a hospital gurney.

Hours later they played four minutes of Jackson’s final rehearsals of two songs. His mother, Katherine, dabbed her eyes with a tissue as video of her son singing “Earth Song” filled the courtroom.

Jackson’s persona was present throughout the trial’s opening day, although prosecutors are now moving their case toward the events that led to his death and their immediate aftermath. Testimony from Paul Gongaware, an executive with concert promoter AEG Live will be heard, followed by one of Jackson’s bodyguards and a personal assistant.