LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears' darkest days are about to be revisited in a Los Angeles courtroom, but not by the resurgent pop singer.

Instead jurors will begin hearing testimony this week on claims by Spears' former manager that he was vilified and unfairly blamed for the singer's public meltdown more than four years ago. Spears' parents are defendants and will likely testify, but the panel won't hear directly from the Grammy winner.

Former Spears confidante Sam Lutfi is seeking millions of dollars from Spears and her family, claiming her mother's book lied about him drugging and isolating the pop superstar. He is also seeking a portion of the singer's profits, claiming he was a key player in her 2007 album Blackout and had the right to serve as her manager for years.

Instead, the singer spent much of that time recovering under a court-ordered conservatorship, with her father and fiance continuing to exert control over her personal life. It is highly unlikely the star will be a witness during the trial, although a judge has said she will consider a request by Lutfi's attorney to call Spears as a witness mid-trial if necessary.