Michael Jackson Dies

TMZ has learned the LAPD is on schedule to present the case against Dr. Conrad Murray to the L.A. County D.A.'s office next week.

As we first reported, LAPD detectives planned to wrap up their case and present it by the second week in October. They were waiting on some written evaluations by medical professionals who reviewed the evidence surrounding Michael Jackson's death.

Our law enforcement sources say the medical reports are in and the LAPD plans to formally present the case to the D.A. next week.

Prosecutors have been working with the LAPD for months now, so it's not as if the evidence will be a surprise.

Sources say Dr. Murray is still the sole target.

One well-placed law enforcement source says there's a "70/30 chance" the D.A. will take the case to the L.A. County Grand Jury rather than charge Murray directly.

Our sources tell us Dr. Murray had Applied Pharmacy send Propofol by Fed Ex to the address of Nicole Alvarez, the mother of the doctor's 7th child.

We've also confirmed with our law enforcement sources in the weeks preceding Jackson's death Dr. Murray was living at Alvarez's home during the days ... and only went to Jackson's home at night when he administered drugs to the singer.

Our sources say they have traced some but not all of the Propofol bottles found in Jackson's home after he died, to Applied Pharmacy.

Alvarez has been uncooperative with law enforcement and was forced to appear before the L.A. County Grand Jury last month to testify.

Attorney Brian Oxman -- the lawyer who pops up from time to time in the Jackson saga -- says he has a document proving Jackson fired Branca.

Branca served as Jackson's lawyer on and off for 29 years. Sources connected to Branca freely admit Jackson fired the lawyer in 1990, but rehired him 3 years later. We're also told Branca quit Michael in 2006 because Jackson insisted on hiring "advisors" Branca believed would do great harm to MJ.

A month before Jackson died, he began conversations with Branca, saying he wanted him back in the fold. We've learned on June 17, eight days before Jackson died, Jackson signed a letter hiring Branca back as his lawyer.

Howard Weitzman, a lawyer for the estate, confirmed, "In mid-June, Michael Jackson retained John Branca to represent him as general and entertainment counsel in his business and personal affairs." Weitzman added, "The letter retaining Branca was shared with lawyers for Katherine Jackson very early in the probate proceedings."

Michael Bearden, musical director for Michael Jackson's "This Is It" tour, just told TMZ the Coroner's findings debunk naysayers who claimed Jackson was too weak to perform.

The Coroner's report concluded Jackson may have been balding but his heart was strong and there was no alcohol or illegal drugs in his system.

Bearden says Jackson was definitely up to performing the 50-plus concert dates in London.

Bearden was just named the band leader for George Lopez's new late night talk show on TBS, "Lopez Tonight" ...which debuts Nov. 9th.

Another day, another creditor's claim filed against Michael Jackson's estate.

The law firm Mesereau & Yu -- who defended Michael during his molestation trial in 2005 -- filed a claim on Friday against the estate.

In the claim, it says Michael owes the firm $341,452.05 for work done between July of 2005 and February of 2006.

And well worth it ... Michael was acquitted on all 14 charges.

The creditor's claims against Michael Jackson ... rolling, rolling in.

A security firm has filed legal papers in the probate case, claiming Jackson owed Steven Echols DBA Security Measures $261,169.

The firm is based in Las Vegas. According to the legal docs, the firm supplied 3 guards to Jackson in 2008 24/7 at $25 an hour.

The papers say in September, 2008 Jackson racked $119,000 in security costs. In October the bill was $99,000.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Dr. Conrad Murray's baby mama will testify before the L.A. County Grand Jury tomorrow at 11:00 AM.

Nicole Alvarez, the mother of Dr. Murray's 7th child, has not been cooperative with LAPD detectives. We have already reported that we have heard Dr. Murray was living with Alvarez during the time he was supposedly staying with Jackson. Law enforcement sources tell us they believe Dr. Murray was living with Alvarez but have not been able to confirm it.

If Dr. Murray was regularly around Alvarez during that critical time, she may have information that could be highly relevant to the investigation.

TMZ has confirmed one of Dr. Conrad Murray's baby mamas will be called to testify before the L.A. County Grand Jury in the Michael Jackson investigation -- because she's not cooperating with the cops.

The L.A. County D.A. has asked the Grand Jury to put Nicole Alvarez under oath and testify about Dr. Murray's comings and goings around the time Jackson died.

Alvarez -- the mother of Dr. Murray's 7th child -- lives in Santa Monica, CA. As we first reported, law enforcement sources told us they believe Dr. Murray was actually living in Santa Monica during the time he was supposedly living at Jackson's house. Although we've heard he may have been living with Alvarez, we have not been able to confirm that.

A man is suing Michael Jackson's estate, claiming the singer is responsible for the theft of his herpes cure.

Erle Bonner claims Jackson gave his formulas for "herpes cure, acne cures and arthritis cures" to a guy named Kevin Trudeau, also a defendant, who allegedly pilfered them.

Bonner also claims ..."someone from the Jackson family came by my house and shot a 22 pistol in the air. They turned around in a neighbor's driveway and drove away."

Bonner also claims in his suit, filed today in L.A. County Superior Court ... Jackson stole nine copyrights and the idea for an automobile insurance policy that "would revolutionize insurance for cars in America."

We've learned lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate went to court today and the probate judge gave permission for them to strike a deal with Sony Music for the production and distribution of a soundtrack album in connection with the "This is It" film release.

Sources say Sony and the estate have reached an agreement.

Lawyers for Michael Jackson's estate have asked the probate judge to give them the green light so they can settle a music lawsuit filed against the singer.

The suit was filed in federal court in Northern Illinois by Syl Johnson. Johnson claims Jackson and 11 other defendants unlawfully reproduced one of his recordings.

We've learned Jackson and the other defendants have settled for a total of $150,000 and Jackson will kick in his share -- $12,500 -- upon approval by the probate court.

The other defendants include Dr. Dre, Will Smith and the estate of Tupac Shakur.

Up to now we didn't know how much Katherine Jackson was getting by way of allowance while Michael Jackson's estate gets probated. In legal docs just unveiled today, we now know the special administrators asked to pay her $26,804 per month.

As for the kids, the family allowance for them is $60,000 per month.

The docs also say "...the Estate assets consist of real and personal property exceeding $500 million and that the Estate is solvent."

Katherine and Michael's 3 kids will continue to get an allowance -- which is subject to change -- until the estate is probated. That could take between 1 and 2 years from now.

UPDATE: The docs also list Katherine and the kids' expenses separately.

Now, the kids' specific expenses are redacted -- but it doesn't matter, because the totals are still listed ... and they're HUGE:

-- Salaries and payroll benefits: $315,580 per year
-- Basic needs: $141,300 per year
-- Entertainment and other: $159,120 per year
TOTAL: $720,000 per year

Katherine's expenses per month:

On the official website for the concert, if you go to the jump page with all the legal mumbo jumbo ... it takes back everything Jermaine seems to have promised.

Here's a quote straight from the website:

"This website does not intend to convey the impression that the artists and personalities depicted here within have agreed to participate in the said event in any way, shape or form."

The legal statement has been up on the website since the beginning ... even though the front page of the site (which has since been changed) clearly stated Chris Brown, Natalie Cole and Mary J. Blige were "confirmed to appear at the tribute."

So if you buy tickets to Jermaine's tribute concert in London, a word of caution ... read the fine print.

We've learned Paul Fuhrman -- the senior vice president of Colony Capital -- filed paperwork on Wednesday asking the U.S. Patent Office to forget about the Neverland trademark applications his company filed last month. The request was granted that day.

Colony had filed the trademark applications in case Neverland was turned into a Graceland-esque tourist attraction for Jackson fans.

Doesn't look like that's going to happen any time soon.

Cole's rep tells us the singer definitely won't show at the tribute because she's set to attend an event with the Dalai Lama in Memphis around the same time Jermaine told the world she'd be in Vienna.

Jermaine also said Chris Brown and Mary J. Blige were going to perform -- but they've also denied being involved with the event.

Meanwhile, all three stars are still prominently displayed on the tribute's website.

Two trucks showed up moments ago to Jackson's rented L.A. residence -- one for Michael's cars and the other for his property. Workers are currently unloading empty boxes and carting them inside the home.

Earlier this month, a bunch of property was removed from Michael's Las Vegas home -- including three Rolls Royce cars.