Lawyer skips contempt hearing in Jackson case

November 15, 2011 at 7:36p.m.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A partner of a defense attorney for Michael Jackson’s doctor failed to show up for a contempt hearing today, prompting the judge to issue but hold a bench warrant for his arrest.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor said Matt Alford left a phone message with the court Monday saying he was in trial in Houston and could not attend. Pastor said he wants details in writing.

The judge ordered Alford to appear Nov. 29, the same day Dr. Conrad Murray is scheduled to be sentenced for involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson. Murray remains in jail.

Pastor threatened to hold Alford in contempt in September after he appeared on NBC’s “Today” show criticizing a prosecution witness and commenting about the jury.

The judge said he was shocked because the comments came only hours after he had warned defense attorneys not to comment on the case outside court. Alford is a partner of Murray’s lead defense attorney Ed Chernoff but did not participate in the trial.

The judge ordered Alford to file documents explaining why he could not get excused from his trial in Houston to attend the hearing and whether he approached the judge there to let him go.