Prince, Diana Ross and Spike Lee are among the witnesses who could be called in the Michael Jackson wrongful death trial.
The late star's mother Katherine Jackson has accused promoters AEG Live of being negligent in ignoring health concerns over her son and hiring Dr. Conrad Murray - the physician who was convicted of the involuntary manslaughter of the star following his passing in 2009 - and it has now been revealed who could take to the stand in the case.
As well as the two singers and the director, Michael's ex-wife Lisa Marie Presley, his three children Prince, 16, Paris, 14, and Blanket, nine, producer Quincy Jones, choreographer Kenny Ortega and several of the 'Thriller' hitmaker's siblings could be called to give evidence, ET Online reports.
However, despite his inclusion on the list, insiders predict Prince is unlikely to testify. Music blogger Dr. Funkenberry explained to the New York Post newspaper: 'Prince is so far down on the witness list, he will more than likely never get called.'
The insider went on to explain that there is historically tension between Prince and AEG, adding: 'In 2007, Prince performed 21 nights [at The O2 in London], a record. AEG promised him no one would perform more nights than him. In 2009 AEG booked Michael Jackson there for 50 nights before [his] death. So AEG went back on their word which upset Prince, obviously.'
Sharon Osbourne has meanwhile come out and said she was told firsthand that Michael Jackson wasn't well enough to be performing during rehearsals for the series of shows at The O2 in London.
'There were certain people that work at that company that knew Michael Jackson was not well and they didn't care because it's business,' she said. 'Whether he performed, or he didn't, they would still make money. I've had conversations with certain people at that company [AEG] who have said exactly that to me. If they [the Jackson family] would like me to go to court, I will stand up and tell them who said that to me.'
