Dr Conrad Murray, the man accused of killing Michael Jackson, will face a preliminary court hearing in January 2011.

The session will decide whether or not the King of Pop's former personal physician will face trial for a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Dr Murray has pled not guilty to the charges brought by Los Angeles prosecutors.

They have accused him of using a lethal combination of propofol and other painkillers just hours before the singer was found dead in his rented Los Angeles mansion on June 25, 2009.

If convicted, Dr. Murray faces up to four years in prison.