LOS ANGELES, USA (AP) —- The doctor charged in Michael Jackson’s death returned to court yesterday to meet the first batch of potential jurors who may eventually decide whether to convict him of involuntary manslaughter.

It will be the second time this year that a judge, prosecutors and attorneys for Dr Conrad Murray try to pick a panel to hear the case, which is expected to last four to six weeks and will put the spotlight on the King of Pop’s final moments once again.

Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor, prosecutors, Murray, and his attorneys were meeting with potential jurors in a large assembly room.

Roughly 160 people were expected to undergo an initial screening yesterday to see whether they’re available to serve during the lengthy criminal trial. Those who are able will then fill out a 30-page questionnaire aimed at determining their level of knowledge of the case and any strong opinions about Jackson or Murray.

Getting an eligible pool of jurors took three days earlier this year, and Pastor begrudgingly dismissed them in May when he agreed to delay Murray’s trial to give his attorneys more time to prepare.

This time, the judge hopes to find 100 people to fill out the questionnaire, court spokeswoman Mary Hearn said. Prosecutors and defence attorneys will have several days to scrutinise the responses before direct questioning of potential jurors begins on September 23.

Finding people who hadn’t heard about the case was a challenge last time — only one person, who didn’t speak English, expressed no knowledge of the case. Awareness of a high-profile case is not automatic grounds for disqualification from jury service, and Pastor has expressed confidence that a group can be found who will listen to the evidence impartially and also ignore widespread media coverage of the trial.

Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009 stunned the world. The singer had been in final preparations for a series of comeback concerts in London, and the focus quickly turned to Murray, his personal physician.

In an interview with detectives, Murray acknowledged giving Jackson the anaesthetic propofol to help him sleep, but authorities and Murray’s attorneys differ on the timeline of events that occurred in Jackson’s rented mansion on the day he died.

The Houston-based cardiologist faces up to four years in prison and the loss of his medical licence if convicted.