Judge Blocks Testimony About Michael Jackson Concert Contract

The judge hearing the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's doctor says defense lawyers won't be able to ask about the singer's multimillion dollar contract for his final concert series.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor says allowing testimony about the contract might confuse jurors who will consider whether Dr. Conrad Murray's actions caused Jackson's June 2009 death.

Defense attorney Ed Chernoff told Pastor that introducing the contract was necessary to show that Jackson was desperate. Chernoff said Tuesday that Jackson would have been indebted to promoter AEG Live for nearly $40 million if the shows were canceled.

Chernoff contends that led Jackson to give himself a dose of the anesthetic propofol in a desperate attempt to sleep.

Prosecutors contend Murray, who has pleaded not guilty, gave the fatal dose.