After conviction, legal woes mount for Jackson doc (AP)

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By ANTHONY McCARTNEY, AP Entertainment Writer Anthony Mccartney, Ap Entertainment Writer – Fri Nov 11, 11:08 am ET

LOS ANGELES – Jail time is not the only problem looming for the doctor convicted in Michael Jackson's death. Lawsuits, medical licensing issues and possible payments to Jackson's family await.

Some of the matters have been on hold since Dr. Conrad Murray was charged with involuntary manslaughter in February 2010, and the cardiologist's attorneys have so far fended off attempts to end his ability to practice medicine.

Now, with the jury's guilty verdict announced Monday, the efforts to hold Murray accountable in civil courts will speed up and the loss of his medical privileges are all but guaranteed.

The Houston-based physician is being sued by Jackson's father, embroiled in a fight with the provider of his medical malpractice insurance and may be ordered to pay restitution to Jackson's family when he is sentenced for involuntary manslaughter on Nov. 29.

But Murray won't go quietly. His civil attorney said that if the lawsuits proceed, they will delve into territory unexplored during the doctor's six-week criminal trial, including possible culpability by other doctors. Murray's team will also look into options for Murray to relinquish his medical license in Texas — with an eye on trying to return to medicine within a year.

Brian Oxman, who represents father Joe Jackson in a wrongful death lawsuit against Murray, said his civil case "will absolutely focus on what happened before the last few hours of Michael's life."

Oxman is also working with Murray's attorney, Charles Peckham, to possibly expand the case to include other physicians who treated Jackson, namely dermatologist Arnold Klein.

"We are looking at ways to expand the scope and view of this lawsuit to all those who are actually responsible for the death of Michael Jackson," Peckham said Thursday.

Murray's criminal attorneys frequently mentioned Klein to jurors and presented evidence about Demerol treatments that Klein gave Jackson in the months before the singer's June 2009 death, but a judge blocked the dermatologist from testifying.

Peckham said some of Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor's rulings — which were intended to keep the focus on Murray's care of Jackson — "severely restrained testimony that would have pointed to Dr. Murray's innocence."

"There is substantial proof that supports the belief that the insomnia Michael Jackson was experiencing was a result of the overmedication of Michael Jackson with Demerol," Peckham said.

No Demerol was found in Jackson's system when he died, but a defense expert told jurors in the criminal case that some of the symptoms of withdrawal from the drug are similar to those caused by use of the anesthetic propofol, which is what killed Jackson. Murray said he was giving the pop superstar propofol treatments so that he could sleep as he prepared for a planned series of comeback concerts.

Klein's attorney, Garo Ghazerian, did not return a phone message seeking comment Thursday.

Murray's attorneys are planning an appeal of his criminal conviction and he remains jailed without bail until his sentencing. At that hearing, prosecutors could seek restitution for Jackson's family, although his mother and children have received millions in support from the singer's estate since his passing.

In 2009, a judge ordered record producer Phil Spector to pay $26,000 in restitution fees after he was convicted of second-degree murder for shooting cocktail waitress Lana Clarkson. Nearly $10,000 was allocated for a state victims' restitution fund, while the rest was set aside for Clarkson's funeral expenses.

The prospects of recouping any money from Murray are uncertain — he was never paid for his work with Jackson and is being pursued by creditors. It is unknown how much money Murray has or will receive as a result of a documentary project that was to air Friday night on MSNBC.

"As a convicted felon, he is not permitted to profit from his crime," Oxman said. "The family has the right to receive those funds."

The documentary has been sold to broadcasters in several countries and has already been shown in Britain.

Murray has been fighting with his malpractice insurer, Medicus Insurance Co., in a Houston court since August 2010. Medicus is asking a judge to rule that it is not responsible for paying any of Murray's legal bills in his fights with various medical boards, Joe Jackson's lawsuit or his criminal defense. The case was on hiatus until after the criminal trial.

Peckham said he still contends the policy, purchased a month before Jackson's death, should cover Murray's legal bills.

Murray's conviction should mean an end to his medical career, although Peckham said efforts are under way to protect a Houston clinic founded in honor of Murray's father.

"We are working to make sure that Dr. Murray's patients get the same type of stellar health care they got with Dr. Murray," Peckham said.

The attorney acknowledged Murray's medical license will be suspended — an effort a Texas Medical Board spokeswoman confirms is under way. Peckham said he is exploring whether Murray may agree to a revocation of his license to allow him to reapply to become a physician later.

Texas law allows a physician to apply for re-instatement one year after their license is revoked.

Murray's medical license in California has been suspended since January. In Las Vegas, where Murray operates another clinic and where he first met Jackson, the doctor's medical privileges will also likely be revoked as a result of his conviction.

___

McCartney can be reached at http://twitter.com/mccartneyAP

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Oscar spoilers posted after blogger ban (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The Motion Picture Academy launched a writer for the controversial blog Deadline.com the Oscars ceremony in response to a series of posts revealing details about the upcoming show.

Michael Fleming, a movie blogger based in New York, had her press credential revoked after his boss, Deadline.com editor Nikki Finke, published a series of Oscar "spoiler", including a comprehensive revealing everything planned for February 27, television the world's top film Awards.

The spoilers, which were initially published along with derogatory statements suggesting that the broadcast would be boring (even if the offensive language was later dropped), prompted the Academy to take action against the Web site.

Academy spokeswoman Leslie Unger who refused to comment on the eviction, but sources have confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter print backstage credential that Fleming was lifted as punishment for violation of the secrecy surrounding the show. I requested a backlash spoilers whatsoever on Twitter, where the commenter questioned the logic of the Finke to reveal the schedule and called his actions immoral.

Finke wrote on his blog MMC property that she had lodged a formal complaint with Unger.

When asked about the loss of the Sabbath Spirit Awards, Oscar host James Franco says THR, "Oh well! It's just a monologue ". Admitting that he hadn't heard of yet, Franco has concluded, "I think you'll hear a relapse when I get there (Oscar rehearsal)!"

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Year after 'Cove' Oscar, activists shift tactics (AP)

TAIJI, Japan – In the fervor of the Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday, last year's winners will be a distant memory. Half a world away in the Japanese fishing village of Taiji, few will ever forget the film that won in 2010 for Best Documentary Feature.

A year after "The Cove" received an Oscar for its scathing portrayal of Taiji's dolphin hunting tradition, the tiny town is still under siege by foreign activists. That's created a deep deadlock with Taiji's fishermen, leading some activists to seek a different tact.

"I'm trying to get a grass-roots movement going in Japan. I've come to realize, you can't show up with a big stick and tell them what to do," said Ric O'Barry, the veteran dolphin activist who stars in "The Cove."

A smattering of foreign protesters has come for years to Taiji, but since the success of the movie, the sleepy town of 3,500 has been inundated. The environmental group Sea Shepherd has started a "Cove Guardian" program that brings visitors, new groups such as "Taiji Action Group" and "Eyes on Taiji" have sprung up, and many people have come on their own.

The influx has had little effect. The town's two dozen dolphin hunters, most of whom are gruff ex-whalers, ignore the protesters as unwanted foreign pressure on their traditions, and have responded with elaborate tarp structures to hide the gorier aspects of their work. A rare public meeting between the two sides in November ended in confusion and discord, and town officials say the attention is largely a nuisance.

"We're a small town, we really can't get anything else done while this is going on," said Masahiro Mukai, who normally runs the town's volunteer fire department but now goes on regular patrols to monitor the activists.

So activists like O'Barry are trying to recruit more Japanese to their cause, publishing materials in the Japanese language and holding meetings with those who show an interest. Longtime Japanese activists like Masato Sakano have organized crowded forums in Tokyo to discuss the implications of "The Cove" and the Taiji hunts.

While many in the country feel the town should be allowed its traditional ways, others are coming to Taiji to protest or simply see for themselves.

"A lot of foreigners are helping us, but if we don't do something on our own, this problem won't be resolved," said Yoshiko Wada, 33, a hairdresser who has visited the town six times.

The government permits about 20,000 dolphins to be hunted along Japan's coasts each year. Only about 2,000 of those are taken in Taiji, but it is singled out mainly because it uses drive fishing, in which the animals are herded near to shore and slaughtered in shallow water, as opposed to being harpooned at sea.

This method also lends itself to capturing live animals, because they are relatively unscathed and can be examined up close by aquarium buyers or dolphin dealers. Those that aren't picked are killed for meat or occasionally released.

In years past, several towns captured live dolphins in Japan, but now only Taiji remains. So a complete end to the hunts would be difficult, because they have become crucial for the popular and lucrative dolphin shows throughout the country, and captive breeding is rare.

While killing dolphins for food remains a cultural touchstone, the hunts generate far more money from selling live animals. Bottlenose dolphins sold for meat typically go for several hundred dollars, while prime live animals sell for about $10,000 domestically and much more abroad. In the year ending in March 2010, 79 dolphins were exported from Japan for 277 million yen ($3.38 million), the government says.

With Taiji's fishermen unlikely to bend to foreign pressure and the strong ties to Japan's aquarium industry, a quick end to the hunts looks unlikely. Some foreign activists have called for protests directly at aquariums, but others question that approach.

"If we can't shut down aquariums in our own countries, how do you go to the Japanese and ask them to do that here?" said Michael Dalton, an Australian activist living near Taiji.

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Year after ' Cove ' Oscar, activists SHIFT tactics (AP)

TAIJI, Japan – the fervor of Academy Awards in Hollywood on Sunday, the winners of last year will be a distant memory. Half a world away in the Japanese fishing village of Taiji, few will never forget the film, which won in 2010 for best documentary.

One year after "The Cove" has received an Oscar for his portrayal of hunting fierce tradition of Taiji Dolphin, the small town is still under siege by foreign activists. Who created an impasse with the fishermen of Taiji, bringing some activists to try a different feel.

"I'm trying to get a popular movement, going in Japan. I've come to realize, you cannot come up with a stick and tell them what to do, "said Ric o' Barry, Dolphin veteran activist who stars in" Bay ".

A smattering of protestors foreigners came to years of Taiji, but after the success of the film, was swamped the sleepy town of 3500. The environmental group Sea Shepherd has launched a "Guardian Cove" program that brings visitors, new groups like "Taiji Action Group" and "Taiji's eyes" have sprung up and many people came.

The influx has had little effect. Hunters of two dozen Dolphin of the city, most of whom are former whalers surly, ignore the demonstrators as pressure of unwanted foreigners to their traditions and responded with tarp process structures to conceal bloody aspects of their work. A rare public meeting between the two parties in November was in confusion and contention, and city officials say that attention is mostly an annoyance.

"We are a small town, you really cannot get anything else done while this is happening," said Masahiro Mukai, which normally runs voluntary fire brigade of the city, but now goes on regular patrols to monitor activists.

So the activists as o' Barry are looking to recruit more Japanese to their cause, publishing Japanese language materials and meetings with those who show an interest. Longtime activists Japanese as Masato Sakano organised a crowded forum in Tokyo to discuss the implications of "The Cove" and the Taiji hunting.

While many in the country feel that the city should be allowed its traditional ways, others are coming to Taiji to protest or just see for yourself.

"A lot of foreigners are helping us, but if you don't do something for ourselves, this issue is resolved," said Yoshiko Wada, 33, a hairdresser who visited the city six times.

The Government allows approximately 20,000 dolphins to be hunted along the coasts of Japan every year. Only about 2,000 of those taken in Taiji, but it is mainly because it uses fishing units, in which animals are herded near the shore and slaughtered in shallow water, as opposed to be arpionato in the sea.

This method lends itself also to catch animals, because they are relatively unharmed and can be examined closely by Aquarium Dolphin buyers or distributors. Those who are not collected are killed for meat or occasionally released.

In past years, several cities caught live dolphins in Japan, but now remains only Taiji. So a complete end to the hunt would be difficult, because they have become crucial to the Dolphin popular and profitable shows across the country, and captive breeding is rare.

While killing dolphins for food remains a touchstone culture, hunts generate much more money from the sale of live animals. Bottlenose dolphins sold for meat usually Go for several hundred dollars, while the first animals to sell for about $ 10,000 nationally and abroad, much more. In the year ending in March 2010, 79 dolphins were exported from Japan to 277 million yen (3.38 million), says the Government.

With the fishermen of Taiji unlikely to bow to foreign pressure and strong ties with Japan aquarium industry, a quick order to hunts appears unlikely. Some foreign activists have called for protests directly for aquariums, but others question this approach.

"If we cannot stop aquariums in our countries, as you go to the Japanese and ask them to do it here?", said Michael Dalton, an Australian activist living near Taiji.

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Oscars ban blogger after spoilers published (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – The Motion Picture Academy has banished a writer for the controversial blog Deadline.com from the Oscars ceremony in response to a series of posts revealing details about the upcoming show.

Michael Fleming, a New York-based film blogger, had his press credential revoked after his boss, Deadline.com editor Nikki Finke, published a series of Oscar "spoilers," including a full rundown revealing everything planned for the February 27 telecast of the world's top film awards.

The spoilers, which were initially published along with derogatory statements suggesting the telecast would be boring (though the derogatory language was later deleted), prompted the Academy to take action against the website.

Academy spokesperson Leslie Unger declined to comment on the ousting, but sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Fleming's backstage press credential has been revoked as punishment for the breaches of secrecy surrounding the show. The spoilers prompted a backlash of sorts on Twitter, where commenter's questioned Finke's rationale for revealing the schedule and called her actions unethical.

Finke wrote on her MMC-owned blog that she had lodged a formal complaint with Unger.

When asked about the leaks at Saturday's Spirit Awards, Oscar host James Franco told THR, "Oh well! It's just a monologue." Admitting he had not heard about it yet, Franco concluded, "I guess I'll hear the fallout when I get over there (Oscar rehearsal)!"

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Films to see box office bounce after Golden Globes (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – A bevy of films are poised to benefit at the box office from Golden Globe winseven "The Social Network," which is still playing in about 300 theaters domestically and overseas in Japan.

Still in the heart of their box office runs are "Barney's Version," "Black Swan," "The Fighter" and "The King's Speech," all of which picked up top Globe performance awards.

Distributors often calibrate their release plans to major award events, such as the Globes, hoping for a victory. About 17 million viewers watched Sunday's show.

The Weinstein Co. held off until the eve of the Globes to expand "King's Speech" nationwide. Film did impressive business, grossing an estimated $11.2 million from 1,543 theaters over the long Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend for a total of $46.7 million and placing No. 4.

Colin Firth's Globe win for best actor in a drama further ups "King Speech's" profile. Both "King's Speech" and Fox Searchlight's "Black Swan" are already crossover hits, having broadened their reach beyond the traditional arthouse crowd.

"Black Swan"earning Natalie Portman a Globe for best actress in a dramaended the four-day holiday weekend with a total of $75.2 million as it expanded from roughly 1,550 theaters to 2,328. Film came in No. 5, grossing $10.4 million.

"I think winning a Golden Globe helps because it draws attention to the film among people who otherwise might not be thinking about it," Searchlight's Sheila DeLoach said.

While Paramount and Relativity Media's "The Fighter" has been doing solid box office business, it's been out of the spotlight. Christian Bale and Melissa Leo's respective Globe wins for best supporting actor/actress in a drama could boost grosses.

"The Fighter" placed No. 9 over the holiday weekend, grossing $6.2 million from 2,414 theaters for a total of $66.8 million.

Sony Pictures Classics waited until the weekend of the Globes to officially launch "Barney's Version," which had a brief qualifying run in December. Paul Giamatti stars in the indie film, and won a Globe for best actor in a musical or a comedy.

"Barney's Version" scored the best per theater average of the holiday weekend, grossing $85,241 from four theaters in New York and Los Angeles for an average of $21,310. Total is $114,285, including the qualifying run.

"Social Network," which picked up the most top Globe awards, came out on DVD earlier this month. Some theater owners are still willing to play the film, but the country's largest exhibitor, Regal, won't.

Over the weekend, "Social Network" grossed an estimated $435,000 from 300 theaters domestically and another $2.3 million overseas, where it opened in Japan. Film jumped the $200 million mark worldwide, with a total of $202 million through Sunday.

Sony executives said it's possible that "Social Network" will increase its screen count in the U.S. They also pointed out that the Globe victories could help with DVD sales.

Sony's "The Green Hornet" came in No. 1 over the holiday weekend, debuting to $40 million from 3,584 theaters. Overseas, the 3D film grossed roughly $16 million.

Domestically, "Green Hornet" nabbed the second-best gross for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday after Paramount's "Cloverfield," which grossed north of $46 million in 2008.

Coming in No. 2 was Ron Howard's Vince Vaughn/Kevin James comedy "The Dilemma." The Universal film debuted to a disappointing $21.1 million from 2,940 theaters.

Revenues were down a steep 25% from last year, when "Avatar" and "The Book of Eli" dominated.

"True Grit" may have been shut out of the Globesfilm didn't receive any nominationsbut it continued to do well at the box office. The Paramount film came in No. 3 behind "Hornet" and "Dilemma," grossing an estimated $13.1 million over the four-day weekend for a total of $128.3 million.

(Editing by Zorianna Kit)

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UK police arrest child Pink Floyd guitarist after the riot (Reuters)

London (Reuters) – the stepson of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour was arrested by police on Sunday to fluctuate by a flag on Memorial London war dead during the week, the British media reported.

Charlie Gilmour, 21, was depicted dangling from the National Union flag Memorial Cenotaph during protests Thursday against a tax increase of University. He later apologized, saying that he was ashamed.

"The morning of Sunday 12 December, a man 21-year-old was arrested at his home address in Sussex," police said in a statement. A spokesman declined to confirm the identity of man.

"He was detained by officers on suspicion of violent disorder and attempted criminal damage Union flag on the Cenotaph on de. 9, "the statement added, saying that he had been arrested even the suspicion of theft.

Arrest of Gilmour came as Minister of the Interior (Minister of the Interior) Teresa may said police must revise how to treat the protests and could use the cannon to water after disorder of last week.

May confirmed that Prince Charles ' wife Camilla came in "contact" with the demonstrators who attacked limousine of the couple, as they drove through central London.

Was given their car, a white paint window cracked and thrown on it. Media Reports said Camilla was poked with a stick through an open window.

"I'm not sure about the term poked with a stick, I understand that there was some maintained contact," may told Sky News.

"I very much regret the incident with the real machine but we actually look like were taken decisions, what decisions were taken and if there is anything that can be learned from that."

HYDRANT

Clashes Thursday following three other violent demonstrations in London last month.

The Metropolitan Police has been criticized for not stop protesters attacking Millbank Tower, home to the headquarters of the conservative party, during the first protest, while students allege that tactic of containment "kettling" police is provocative.

"Indicates if they choose to use the water cannon is an operational problem," he said, that will make a statement to Parliament Monday about events. "I think it only fair that we look across all available options.

"We had a tradition in this country the way that we have police events like this that tends to be different from the approach which takes place in many other countries."

Ed Balls, Home Affairs spokesman, said that it would be dangerous for the police to escalate their answer.

"I would say that I am very skeptical about the use of fire hydrants or rubber bullets, because every time you have then a minority who are trying to force the police to use this type of technique," said Sky News.

The police have arrested some 175 people in connection with protests of four and may said offenders should "feel the full force of law upon them".

"We want the public to help us to identify these people who might have been involved in violent disorder, attacking police officers and smashing buildings, shops and designers," said detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne.

(Edited by Andrew Roche)

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Navratilova leaves hospital after the drama of Kilimanjaro (AFP)

NAIROBI (AFP) – Tennis superstar Martina Navratilova released from the hospital Sunday after restoring from a high altitude pulmonary edema during his ascent of the Kilimanjaro charity interrupted.

Navratilova, 54, was leading a team of 27 climbers to raise funds for Laureus Sport for good Foundation Charity, when she fell ill, the fourth day of the ascent of Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa to 5,239 metres (19,239 ft).

"I feel a lot better and really glad to be going home. I would like to thank all the staff at the hospital in Nairobi, which were wonderful and really took care of me. The care I received during my three days in hospital was excellent, "he said.

Navratilova, who won 6 Grand Slam singles tournaments, female 31 doubles titles and 10 Grand Slam mixed doubles Grand Slam titles, said it was pleased that 18 of 27 climbers reached the Summit.

Includes the cyclist German Paralympic Games Michael Teuber and star English Olympic Badminton Gail Emms.

"It's nice to know that the team have all returned safely from the mountain. I was so happy to hear that so many of them made at the Summit, despite the weather, "he said.

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Israeli discoverer of Herod's Tomb dies after accident (AFP)

JERUSALEM (AFP) – The Israeli archaeologist who unearthed the tomb of the biblical king Herod died from injuries sustained during a fall at the site of the dig, the Israeli antiquities authority said.

Ehud Netzer, 76, fell on Monday when a railing he was leaning on gave way at the Herodium archaeological site in the occupied West Bank where the grave of the first century BC king was found.

He was taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries late on Thursday.

The Hebrew University professor discovered the tomb in 2007 after a three-decade search and has since excavated an elaborate mausoleum and three shattered sarcophagi believed to be those of Herod and two of his wives.

Herod is well-known among Israelis and Jews worldwide as the builder of the Second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, of which only the outer wall, Judaism's most important pilgrimage site, remains.

The Gospel of Matthew describes how the Roman-era king ordered the murder of all boys in the Bethlehem area under the age of two in an attempt to prevent the infant Jesus from usurping his position as king of the Jews.

Most historians doubt the veracity of the story but believe that Herod was responsible for other acts of brutality, including the killing of at least one of his 10 wives and two of his children.

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