It's been four years since Michael Jackson died, but the legal wrangling following his death continues. A jury has now been empaneled in the lawsuit brought by Jackson's mother and children against AEG Live, the promoter of his final "This is It" tour, and one potential key figure at that trial will likely be Dr. Conrad Murray.

Murray, who served as Jackson's doctor, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in the singer's death in 2011, and on Friday he phoned TODAY from his jail cell to talk with Savannah Guthrie, with his lawyer Valerie Wass in the studio. 

All along, Murray has denied being responsible for Jackson's death, and maintains that assertion today: "(I take) not any responsibility as it relates to his death," said Murray. "I am sorry that I lost Michael as a friend and as a patient. ... I have lost a very dear friend and a dear person to me, and it's going to remain with me for the rest of my life, but I'm not going to accept responsibility for anything I did not do."

At this new trial, lawyers for the Jackson family are likely to argue that AEG Live is liable because they hired Murray. In theory, the company would have had a financial interest in ensuring the singer was healthy and able to perform as contractually obligated, which may have created a conflict in their oversight of Dr. Murray. 

As Guthrie pointed out, there appeared to be clear negligence in that the drug that killed Jackson -- the singer died of acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication that brought on cardiac arrest -- was found in the room after Murray left Jackson unattended. "I met Michael Jackson with his own stash of medication," insisted Murray. "I tried to get rid of the propofol from Michael Jackson. He might not have liked the approach that I took, but nonetheless the circumstances were to actually get him away from that agent."

Wass spoke up to say that when Murray left Jackson alone in the room on the night he died, the singer was on a saline drip. "Jackson was not on a propofol drip," she said and added that however Jackson gained access to the propofol that killed him, it was never determined whether it came from "his own sources" or from Murray.

Murray says being in prison "has been one of my most horrendous experiences. ... I have only survived because of the loving hope and the support that I get from various individuals and I would especially like to say that my girlfriend Nicole Alvarez has been just tremendous."

Murray may be released in a few months due to prison overcrowding, and is appealing his conviction. Opening statements in the trial are set for Monday.

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Ethan Miller / Getty Images file

Shakira and Antonio de la Rua in 2007.

Shakira's ex-boyfriend believes he deserves a big payout.

The singer and "Voice" coach has been slapped with a $100 million lawsuit in California by Antonio de la Rua, who claims that he built the "Shakira brand" and was brains behind her hits, "Hips Don't Lie" and "Waka Waka," according to court documents. 

De la Rua filed the lawsuit on April 12, after initially filing a $250 million lawsuit against the star in New York last November. Shakira filed a motion March 28 asking the court to dismiss that lawsuit because they do not have jurisdiction over her and because de La Rua has failed to state an actionable claim. 

LOOK: Shakira and her beau spotted with baby Milan at the airport 

Shakira doesn't believe her ex-boyfriend is to thank for her success, and according to legal documents, the new mommy states that when she first met de la Rua at a concert in Argentina in 2000, she was "already a well-known and recognized artist with an established international career." 

She does say that her former flame, who is the son of an Argentine president, was one of "numerous advisers," but it wasn't because of his vast knowledge of the business. In fact, the performer stated that "though he lacked experience or knowledge of the music industry," she decided, in 2005, at his request, she decided to involve him in some matters relating to the business because he "was unemployed." 

NEWS: View the court documents 

After dating for a year, de la Rua's father "was forced to resign as president of Argentina at the end of 2001, for safety reason, plaintiff became self-exiled from Argentina and was unemployed," Shakira said. 

But in the court documents de la Rua insists that her fame is partially due to him, saying he convinced the star to record "Hips Don't Lie" even though she "hated it" at first, and helped her land a $300 million deal with Live Nation in 2008. The docs add that he "inspired" Shakira to write her song "Waka Waka," which became the anthem for the 2010 World Cup. 

De la Rue's attorney tells E! News, "We just want to have our day in court." Shakira's rep was not immediately available for comment. 

--Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum 

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A 47-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with stalking actor Hugh Jackman.

Kay Nietfeld / EPA, file

Actor Hugh Jackman arrives for the premiere of "Les Miserables" during the Berlin International Film Festival on Feb. 9.

According to police sources, Kathleen Thurston approached Jackman outside a gym in the West Village Saturday, pulled out an electric razor and said to the actor "we should be married."

Jackman told Thurston not to touch him and went inside the gym. Thurston tried to follow him inside, but was stopped by staff at the gym, sources said. Thurston then dropped the razor and ran off. She was arrested several blocks away.

More news from NBCNewYork.com

Jackman told police he had seen Thurston outside his daughter's school and again outside his home on Perry Street on Friday.

Source say Thurston appears to have serious psychological issues. Her last known address was a homeless shelter.

This story was originally published on Mon Apr 15, 2013 3:29 AM EDT

Jason Merritt / AFP - Getty Images

Lena Headey plays Queen Cersei on "Game of Thrones."

Lena Headey is battling on a budget.

The "Game of Thrones" star, who filed for divorce from her hairdresser husband Peter Loughran in July, claims in her latest court filing pertaining to the split that her bank account is down to single digits. 

"At the present time, I have less than $5 in my bank account and have been using credit cards to pay for living expenses for myself and our son Wylie," states Headey, who plays Cersei Lannister on the HBO hit, in the 79-page filing obtained by E! News. 

NEWS: Judge denies Kim Kardashian's request to move up divorce trial date 

According to the documents, Headey asked her estranged hubby for her share of their 2011 tax refund, stating in a declaration that, after she married Loughran, she became pregnant with their first and only child, who's now 2, and was deemed not insurable due the pregnancy and was unable to work. 

Because of that, the British actress says, they "burned through their savings" and "incurred a substantial amount of consumer debt to pay for our living expense during marriage." She is currently asking for a $6,000 advance from her half of the 2011 tax refund and a hearing has been scheduled for April 26.

PHOTOS: Celebs have their day in court 

--Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum 

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Lucas Jackson / Reuters file

Kevin Clash with the puppet Elmo in 2010.

Kevin Clash, the man who voiced the popular puppet Elmo on "Sesame Street," is facing accusations of underage sex abuse by a fifth man. On Tuesday, a new federal lawsuit was filed against the puppeteer in New York. The latest suit accuses Clash of sexually abusing Kevin Kiadii, 25, who was 16 at the time of the alleged incident.

Kiadii claims in his lawsuit that the two met via a gay phone chat line, and that it was Clash who initiated the contact. According to the suit, the puppeteer invited the young man over to his Manhattan apartment and sent a luxury car to Kiadii's home to pick him up. Kiadii also claims that Clash gave him alcohol and "groomed him with attention and affection" before engaging in sexual contact. The suit alleges that Kiadii was a "compliant victim" who "was not immediately aware of his injuries."

Kiadii is suing for actual and compensatory damages, costs of the lawsuit and attorneys' fees. The lawsuit was filed by attorney Jeff Herman, who also represents four other men who have filed sexual abuse suits against Clash.

"The allegations in this lawsuit follow the same pattern we've seen before," Herman said in a statement. "Each of these victims alleges that Kevin Clash was a father figure who groomed them with attention before engaging them in sexual contact. By coming forward and standing up for his 16-year-old self, Kevin Kiadii has taken the first step in his healing process."

Clash's attorney, Michael Berger, said in a statement Tuesday that the latest lawsuit is without merit and is barred by the statute of limitations.

"This case has been brought by the same lawyer, Jeff Herman, who brought three other similar cases in federal courts in New York, and we have moved to dismiss all three of those cases," Berger added. "Mr. Clash continues to deny any wrongdoing, and we intend to defend this case forcefully."

Clash resigned from "Sesame Street" in November last year.

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Ursula Coyote / AMC

Bryan Cranston as Walter White on "Breaking Bad."

"Breaking Bad’s" tightly guarded secrets could come to light before the series returns this summer. 

Star Bryan Cranston reported a theft on March 1, alleging that someone broke his car window and snatched a shoulder bag containing an iPad and his "Breaking Bad" script, according to Albuquerque’s ABC affiliate, KOAT-TV.

Photos from THR: 'Breaking Bad' principals strike a pose for THR

Court documents obtained by ABCNews.com reveal that one of Cranston’s employees, Taryn Feingold, was contacted by a confidential informant, who reportedly overheard a man at a local bar boasting about how he broke into a vehicle in the Sandia Mountain Range. He then reportedly showed his company “some type of laptop or iPad,” according to the complaint, while “describing how he also had a script from the 'Breaking Bad' series.”

On Saturday, the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office arrested suspect Xavier McAfee for burglary, the complaint states.

Photos from THR: Cooking up season 5 on set with Cranston and Vince Gilligan

The hit AMC series is currently wrapping up its final season with eight episodes remaining. Cranston, 57, plays high-school chemistry teacher Walter White, who becomes entangled in the world of meth dealing after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. A date has not yet been set for its return.

A rep for Cranston did not immediately return The Hollywood Reporter's request for comment.

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MTV

Farrah Abraham of "Teen Mom."

"Teen Mom" star Farrah Abraham's recent DUI arrest was totally not her fault, you guys.

In a new In Touch interview, the best-selling author (what, you haven't bought "Passy Perfume" yet?) blames her St. Patrick's Day bust on 1) her sister, 2) boredom, 3) being sick and 4) super irritating cops.

"I did not plan to drink because I was sick, so I took the role of being in charge and making sure my sister and I would return home together and safely," she told the tabloid. "At 10 p.m., I tried to leave, and at that time, my sister was not ready to leave, so I had been sipping on drinks to pass the time."

That must have been quite a wait and a lot of sips, because Farrah registered a blood alcohol level of .147 -- nearly twice the legal limit.

Also, instead of nearly hitting a police cruiser as has been reported, the 21-year-old single mom insists she was merely parking her own car.

"When I was parked, a police officer asked me what I was doing, so I told him I was worried about my sister and I was trying to go home," Farrah told In Touch. "They insisted on the regular questions and asked me to get out of the car. I got out of the car, and because I was upset, I yelled."

(It should be noted that the "Teen Mom" star has a healthy disrespect for other people's eardrums even when she's sober.)

However, a source close to the situation told us that Farrah's version of the night's events is actually far from the truth. Despite Farrah's claim that it was her sister and friends who wanted to stay late and drink, the source said that Farrah's companions were actually already back home by the time Farrah was arrested!

"She can say what she wants, but the truth is that her sister Ashley and her friends were miles away by the time Farrah got arrested," said the source. "A friend of Farrah's offered to give her a ride home before they left, but Farrah didn't take it."

On top of that, the source said that several local businesses were offering free cab rides all night to ensure St. Patty's Day partiers made it home safely, something Farrah was well aware of and declined to utilize.

Farrah also disputed the accuracy of the breathalyzer results and accounts that she sabotaged the test by biting on the tube.

"Because I'm sick, I could not give an accurate breathalyzer test, due to coughing and shortage of breath," she told In Touch. "I have a lawyer and all will work out with my ticket."

Farrah's no stranger to the legal system. Both of her parents, who guested on "Teen Mom" alongside their daughter, have also been arrested in the past: her father for threatening her baby daddy with a knife, and her mom for choking Farrah during an argument over babysitting.

-- Additional reporting by Ashley Majeski.

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Santa Monica Police Department

Lindsay Lohan is in the system. Again. The 26-year-old actress was booked on charges of reckless driving and lying to a peace officer Tuesday at the Santa Monica Police Department, after which she was released from custody and sent on her way.

In her imminent future, however, is 90 days of locked rehab, 30 days of community labor, 18 months of psychotherapy, fines and restitution for the other driver.

Lindsay's going to locked rehab -- here's what that means

Lohan pleaded no contest Monday to the aforementioned charges stemming from a car crash last summer, after which authorities determined that she was behind wheel despite her initial claim to the contrary.

"As you know, yesterday the court outlined the terms of probation," which required the "Liz & Dick" star to appear for booking within seven days, Lohan attorney Anthony Falangetti exclusively tells E! News. "And, of course, Lindsay is committed with following the court and did as she was told."

Get the scoop on Lindsay's bump ride from New York to L.A.

Slideshow: Celebrity mugshots

Launch slideshow

Lohan is required to provide proof to the court by May 2 that she has enrolled in a residential treatment program.

Meanwhile, despite being photographed in a car that appeared to be approaching AV Club in Hollywood, Lohan has flatly denied that she was out partying last night, just hours after a court appearance that included getting glitter-bombed on her way inside and her father lashing out at her lawyer afterward.

Check out Lindsay's mug shots

"She is doing good," Falangetti says of his client. "I am happy with how things turn out yesterday and Lindsay is now moving on."

—Reporting by Holly Passalaqua and Claudia Rosenbaum

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Todd Oren / Getty Images file

Kevin Clash poses with Elmo.

Updated, 2:40 p.m. ET: Kevin Clash, the ex-Elmo puppeteer who previously faced allegations of sex abuse, is once again at the center of a lawsuit. The man behind the iconic "Sesame Street" character is named in a sexual abuse lawsuit filed by Sheldon Stephens, who was the first individual to accuse Clash of abuse in 2012.

Stephens claims in a new complaint filed Monday in Middle District Court of Pennsylvania that he and Clash met in 2004 through a social networking event for models and actors. According to a press release sent by Stephens' attorney Jeff Herman, the complaint includes accusations that Clash and Stephens began having sexual intercourse when Stephens was 16. It details an occasion when Stephens was still 16 and Clash hosted a "crystal meth sex party" at his apartment. The complaint also accuses Clash of doing meth at that party, giving the drugs to Stephens, and engaging in sexual contact with the then-teenager.

Michael Berger, an attorney for Clash, issued a statement Tuesday calling the lawsuit "meritless" and "barred by the statute of limitations." In the statement, Berger writes that Stephens has "already admitted in writing that he had 'an adult consensual relationship' with Mr. Clash. Mr Clash continues to deny any wrongdoing, and we intend to defend this case forcefully."

Clash resigned from Sesame Workshop in 2012.

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Pool / Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan and attorney Mark Heller in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, March 18.

Updated, 3:15 p.m. ET: Lindsay Lohan admitted in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday that she was in violation of her probation and failed to obey all laws after a June 2012 car accident.

In front of Judge James Dabney, Lohan accepted a plea agreement that mandates that she spend 90 days in a "locked rehab facility" -- which means she cannot leave before the end of the 90-day period, even with "permission slips" or "day passes." She also must complete 30 days of community labor, which can be served in New York.

Lohan was also ordered to undergo 18 months of psychological counseling (which the judge confirmed Lohan had already begun) and there are fines and restitution involved as well.

Lohan lied to police when she said she she wasn't behind the wheel of her Porsche when it crashed into the back of a truck on June 8, 2012, in Santa Monica, Calif. As a result of that wreck and her actions immediately following, she was charged with obstructing an officer, lying to an officer, and reckless driving.

Her probation -- part of a plea bargain involving the theft of a $2,500 necklace in 2011 -- was revoked. Both the misdemeanor charges and the probation violation charges were due to be settled during the scheduled trial, which could have resulted in a jail sentence.

Dabney told Lohan to stay out of cars and out of trouble, Reuters reported.

"A suggestion: Don't drive. You're in New York, you don't need a car. ... This is it. If you violate your probation we're not going to be having these discussions," the judge said. 

Lohan arrived approximately 48 minutes late for the 8:30 a.m. PT start of proceedings. Clad in a white and pink pantsuit, she was showered with a gold glitter bomb as she passed photographers with attorney Mark Heller.

Damian Dovarganes / AP

Lohan is showered with gold glitter as she enters the courthouse on Monday.

When will we next see Lohan in court? If all goes well, we won't. The judge specified that the 26-year-old actress doesn’t have to appear for compliance dates so long as she's in compliance with the terms set forth.

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Mario Anzuoni / Reuters files

The FBI has released its file on Whitney Houston.

The FBI is saving all its files for Whitney Houston fans. Responding to numerous Freedom of Information Act requests, the agency has released the 128-page record it had on the late music legend. 

And most interestingly, the documents reveal that the FBI had investigated a purported extortion attempt against Houston that ultimately led to no charges after the diva's camp apparently coughed up some dough. 

In a Dec. 3, 1992, memorandum marked "extortion" that was sent to Houston's New Jersey-based management company, Nippy Incorporated, a federal agent indicated that an attorney for an unidentified woman sent a letter the previous month to Houston and her father, John Houston, claiming his client "will reveal certain details" of Whitney's private life to several publications unless his client is paid $100,000. 

Whitney Houston dies at 48 

The lawyer then upped that amount to $250,000 in a successive letter that stipulated the woman had "intimate details regarding [the superstar's] romantic relationships." 

The would-be blackmailer offered to sign a confidentiality agreement with the "Saving All My Love" singer once she received payment. 

Surprisingly, the FBI file reveals the Houstons took her up on her offer as it includes a copy of such a confidentiality pact the woman apparently signed with Nippy Inc. in return for an undisclosed sum (the amount was redacted).

During their probe, the feds did interview Whitney, at which point she admitted confiding with the woman. However, after determining the woman's communication to Houston alone was not a violation of federal law and there was no evidence of criminality, federal investigators did not pursue a prosecution and the case was eventually closed.

Take a look back at Whitney's final interview with E!

The FBI file also included several pieces of fan mail, one of which--from an unidentified Vermont man--the authorities heavily scrutinized out of concern he might have posed a threat. In the letter, the writer professed his love to her repeatedly and said he'd contact tabloids like The National Enquirer in order "to make his love for Houston public."

"Miss Whitney, why can't you respond to my 70 plus letters," he wrote. "Miss Whitney, I really am in love with you. Please, believe me. You probably think that I am crazy. Well, meebe [sic] I am. I just can't give up."

Observed the FBI agent looking into the matter: "In conversation with [the individual] it was apparent that he is obsessed with Whitney Houston."

Whitney Houston from triumph to tragedy

The investigator went on to describe the man as a "loner," but after interviewing him, the agent concluded "he believed this 'crazy idea' would have hurt Houston's reputation so he did not follow through on it."

The FBI opted not to prosecute since the fan said he had no intention of threatening or harming Houston and would refrain from his behavior in the future.

Check out our Whitney Houston: A Life gallery 

Another letter came from a Dutch fan who wildly claimed to be the "President of Europe" and sent audio tapes to the performer, claiming she recorded a song he had composed. After being interviewed by law enforcement and warned his actions violated U.S. law, the man pledged to cease communication with Houston and that ended the matter.

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Vera Anderson / Getty Images file

James Cromwell was arrested on Thursday for disorderly conduct.

Updated at 1:52 p.m. PT Feb. 8: Oscar-nominated actor James Cromwell was arrested Thursday after interrupting a Board of Regents meeting at the University of Wisconsin to protest the school's alleged abuse of cats, his publicist and the UW Madison Police Department confirmed to TODAY.com.

"This morning there was a Board of Regents meeting held on campus in one of our academic buildings," Lt. Mark Silbernagel said. "During the course of that meeting, two people interrupted that meeting, one being James Cromwell." He identified the other man as Jeremy Beckham. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said on its website that the man is one of the organization's staff members.

PETA posted the video of the protest to YouTube. In the clip, the actor can be seen entering the meeting room while holding a PETA sign that featured the image of a cat with a metal implement attached to its head. The animal right's group identified the cat as Double Trouble, and said that according to the university's records, the feline was killed and decapitated.

"Regents are looking the other way while UW Medicine lies to the public about abusing cats and squandering taxpayers’ money on cruel and wasteful experiments," Cromwell can be heard saying in the video. "As many as 30 cats a year at UW have had holes drilled in their skulls metal poles implanted into their eyes. They are deafened, starved for days at a time and then are decapitated. This is not science! This is torture! And it is criminal!"

The actor, who recently starred in the second season of "American Horror Story," is a supporter of PETA, and had previously filmed a video for the organization, urging people to help end the cycle of violence against animals.

Lt. Silbernagel said that both Cromwell and Beckham were arrested by officers of the UW Police Dept., were transported to the local jail and charged with disorderly conduct. He added that the meetings are open to the public, but that they are not an open forum. "If guests want to speak, they have to register in advance," Silbernagel said.

On Friday, Cromwell shared his statement regarding his protest with TODAY.com:

After my friends at PETA showed me the horrifying photographs of a gentle cat named Double Trouble, one of dozens of cats who was cut into, deafened, killed, and decapitated by the University of Wisconsin Madison in a cruel taxpayer funded experiment that’s still going on, I knew I had to join PETA’s campaign to end this abuse.

Cats at UW have holes drilled into their skulls, metal coils implanted into their eyes, are deafened with toxic chemicals and starved to force them to cooperate in experiments that are obviously cruel and aren’t contributing anything to human health. I am not at all moved by the fact that the federal government considers this hideous experiment legal. That only indicates that our federal animal welfare laws are grossly inadequate, not that this cruelty is morally acceptable.

I am outraged that the University of Wisconsin has repeatedly lied about this experiment, concealed what happens inside its laboratories, and ignored pleas for compassion from hundreds of thousands of concerned people. This cruel experiment is funded with the public’s money and occurs at a public institution. UW-Madison should be accountable to the public.

What happens to cats at the school would be criminal outside of a laboratory. It shouldn’t be allowed to continue simply because some backward faculty member calls it “science.” This is not science. It is torture, and I believe it is criminal.

PETA said in a press release that Thursday's protest came after the group sent a letter to the UW Board of Regents on Jan. 22 asking the university to end the research. The group said the letter pointed out the alleged abuse of nine other cats. 

Eric Sandgren, the director the UW-Madison Research Animal Resource Center released a statement denying PETA and Cromwell's allegations:

Today's events are just another attempt by outside activists to draw attention to a cause. They have attacked and distorted this research -- which has very real benefits for people who are deaf -- from every angle imaginable. Exhaustive independent investigation by the USDA, which regulates the use of animals in research, concluded that PETA's allegations are baseless.

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