Murray Defense Expert Faces Contempt Hearing

Los Angeles - The judge presiding over the involuntary manslaughter trial of Michael Jackson's personal physician chastised a defense expert today about comments attributed to him in an online report criticizing the prosecutor in the case and taking issue with a prosecution witness' testimony.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor grilled Dr. Paul White about the comments and set a Nov. 16 hearing to discuss whether the defense expert should be held in contempt of court. Pastor has admonished attorneys and witnesses in the case to avoid discussing Dr. Conrad Murray's trial or making any comments to the media.

White, a defense expert who is expected to testify about the use of the anesthetic propofol, is a longtime colleague and friend of the prosecution's expert witness, Dr. Steven Shafer, who was being cross-examined today.

The website Eonline reported yesterday that during a break in Shafer's testimony, White and Murray spoke briefly in the courtroom, and White used the word "scumbag," possibly referring to Deputy District Attorney David Walgren over his handling of evidence in the courtroom.

Asked by Pastor today if he recalled making such a remark, White told the judge, "No, I do not."

According to the website, White told E! News that Walgren's treatment of evidence was "unethical and unconscionable." The website also reported that White was asked about whether Shafer's testimony for the prosecution has changed his feelings about his longtime colleague.

"I am going to take the high road, not the low road with him," White told E! News, according to the online report. "I was his teacher when he was a medical student. The truth will come out. It always does."

Pastor told White he had no business making such remarks.

Shafter is the prosecution's final witness. The defense will likely begin presenting its case next week, but it was not immediately clear when White would be called to the stand.