Libel trial to focus on Britney Spears' meltdown

By Anthony Mccartney

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Oct. 13 2012 10:36 a.m. MDT

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FILE - This Jan. 31, 2008 video frame grab release by AP Television shows Sam Lutfi leaving UCLA medical center after visiting Britney Spears in Los Angeles. Testimony is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012, in a libel, defamation and breach of contract case filed against Spears and her parents by the singer’s former confidante and manager, Osama “Sam” Lutfi. He is seeking a share of Spears’ fortune and claims he has was unfairly vilified by the singer’s mother in her 2008 book, which accused Lutfi of drugging and isolating the pop star before she had to be hospitalized.

APTN, File, Associated Press

Summary

Testimony is scheduled to begin next week in a trial that will focus on Britney Spears' darkest days, but jurors are unlikely to hear from the pop superstar directly.

LOS ANGELES — Testimony is scheduled to begin next week in a trial that will focus on Britney Spears' darkest days, but jurors are unlikely to hear from the pop superstar directly.

Jury selection began Friday in a libel and defamation trial filed by Spears' former manager and confidante, Sam Lutfi. He claims he's owed a share of the singer's fortune and that he's been unfairly vilified by Spears' mother.

A judge overseeing Spears' ongoing conservatorship has ordered the singer not to appear at the trial. Lutfi's attorney has sought the 30-year-old's testimony to prove that statements made about Lutfi's involvement in her public meltdown are untrue.

Spears' mom Lynne accused Lutfi in court filings of drugging and isolating her daughter, and the claims were repeated in a 2008 book.

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