1. Wide zoom out of exterior of Los Angeles Superior Court building

2. Michael Jackson's siblings, Randy and Rebbie Jackson, getting out of car and walking through media scrum to courthouse

3. Randy and Rebbie Jackson entering courthouse

4. Michael Jackson's criminal lawyer, Thomas A. Mesereau Jr, walking in street

5. Wide of Mesereau speaking to reporters

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael A. Mesereau Jr., Lawyer:

"I am on the plaintiff's witness list. I am here because the defence, AEG, is threatening to bring in evidence that Michael Jackson was charged with child molestation. I was his late criminal defence lawyer in his criminal trial and he was exonerated of every single charge. He was completely cleared of any child molest allegation, and I think it's a mistake for the defence to bring that in. If they do, I am going to be called to the witness stand to discount them."

7. Cutaway of Mesereau in street

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael A. Mesereau Jr., Lawyer:

"Well, I think the momentum is with Katherine Jackson and Michael's (Jackson) beautiful children. I think AEG has an uphill battle. Those emails are very damaging. They show there was an employment relationship. They show they were putting pressure on Conrad Murray to make him perform, and I think they're going to have a tough time getting out of that. I think the absolute momentum is with Katherine Jackson and Michael's children."

9. Cutaway of Mesereau speaking to reporters

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael A. Mesereau Jr., Lawyer:

(Reporter: ...the fact that they are also listed on as potential witnesses along with Conrad Murray)

"Well, they are the plaintiffs, they're the ones suing. But the question is what was Michael Jackson's life worth to his mother? What was Michael Jackson's life worth to his three beautiful children? It was worth a lot."

(Reporter: The chances of Conrad Murray actually stepping into that courtroom?)

"I don't think Conrad Murray will ever say a word. I think his convictions are on appeal. I think his lawyer will probably advise him to keep his mouth shut, and he better not sing a song like he did the other day because he looks like an absolute maniac."

11. Wide of Dr Conrad Murray's lawyer, Valerie Wass, entering courthouse

Opening statements in Katherine Jackson's wrongful death case against concert promoter AEG Live began in a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday morning.

A jury of six men and six women will determine whether AEG Live should pay Michael Jackson's mother and three children after his 2009 death from an overdose of the powerful anaesthetic propofol.

Katherine Jackson sued AEG Live in September 2010 - claiming it failed to properly investigate doctor Conrad Murray before allowing him to treat Jackson as he prepared for his "This Is It" shows.

Jackson is also suing on behalf of her son's three children - Prince, Paris and Blanket.

Millions and possibly billions of dollars in damages are at stake in a case that opened with private photos and video clips of the late star dancing.

A lawyer representing his mother told the jury that AEG Live owed a duty to properly investigate Murray.

AEG denies that it hired Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death.

Its lawyers have said the company could not have foreseen the circumstances that led to the singer's death at age 50.

They have also said that the singer's guarded private life meant the company was unaware that he was using propofol.

Thomas A. Mesereau Jr. - a lawyer who represented Jackson when he was charged with child molestation - has been called as one of Katherine Jackson's witnesses.

"I am here because the defence, AEG, is threatening to bring in evidence that Michael Jackson was charged with child molestation," he explained.

"He was completely cleared of any child molest allegation, and I think it's a mistake for the defence to bring that in," Mesereau added.

"If they do, I am going to be called to the witness stand to discount them."

He also argued that AEG Live faces an "uphill battle" because emails appear to show that the company was "putting pressure on Conrad Murray to make him perform, and I think they are going to have a tough time getting out of that."

Mesereau also said he thinks Murray is unlikely to testify at trial.

"I think his convictions are on appeal," he explained. "I think his lawyer will probably advise him to keep his mouth shut."

Jackson's mother, brother Randy and sister Rebbie sat in the front row of the courtroom on Monday.

A lawyer for AEG Live was expected to begin addressing the panel later in the day.