(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Michael Jackson was too ill to dance during rehearsals, it was claimed yesterday.

Kenny Ortega, who was director and choreographer for the King of Pop's This Is It Tour, testified in a Los Angeles court that he believed the singer was not well in the days leading up to his death in June 2009.

Dr. Conrad Murray has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, which he denies.

Michael died from acute Propofol intoxication following the anaesthetic being administered to him to help his chronic insomnia.

Kenny was called as the trial's first witness where he read out an email he wrote to a concert promoter days before Michael died, expressing his worry for the performer's health.

"Everything in me says he should be psychologically evaluated," he wrote. "There still may be a chance he can rise to the occasion if we get him the help he needs."

Kenny also added on the stand that he was snubbed by Conrad when he approached the doctor to enquire about Michael's medical status and extent of care he was receiving.

The opening statements were heard yesterday where the prosecution claimed Conrad acted with gross negligence and incompetence for giving Michael the anaesthetic that should only have been used in a hospital to put surgery patients under.

Meanwhile the defence team maintains that Michael killed himself by self-administering a lethal dose of Propofol.

Michael's dead body laying on a hospital gurney was shown by the prosecution. It was an image that had never been seen before and the word "homicide" stamped above it.

The trial is scheduled to last five weeks. (C) Cover Media