Harriet Ryan

Spoiler in 'Desperate Housewives' trial stuns courtroom

LOS ANGELES -- A "Desperate Housewives" producer drew gasps from a packed courtroom Thursday when he revealed that a major character dies in an episode airing tonight.

George Perkins, an executive producer, disclosed the plot twist under questioning by a lawyer for actress Nicollette Sheridan, who is suing the show's creator and studio for wrongful termination stemming from the elimination of her character, Edie Britt.

Children's talent manager is charged with molesting client

LOS ANGELES -- A veteran children's talent manager pleaded not guilty Thursday to sexually abusing a former client as police sought the public's help in investigating whether he victimized other aspiring young performers.

Jackson's doctor lied about drug orders, pharmacist testifies

LOS ANGELES -- A Las Vegas pharmacist testified Tuesday that he shipped large amounts of propofol to Michael Jackson's personal physician in the months leading up to the singer's death.

Alberto Alvarez, one of Michael Jackson's security guards, testifies during Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial in downtown Los Angeles, Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. Murray has pleaded not guilty and faces four years in prison and the loss of his medical license if convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Michael Jackson's death. (AP Photo/Al Seib, Pool)

Guard testifies Murray stopped CPR on Jackson to gather drug vials

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's doctor tried to revive him with a substandard version of CPR, performing chest compressions intermittently with one hand while the singer lay on a mattress, a security guard testified Thursday.

Lawyers for Jackson's doctor ask judge to bar mention of his affairs

LOS ANGELES -- Dr. Conrad Murray's legal team asked a judge Thursday to prohibit any mention of the physician's extramarital affairs, out-of-wedlock children or penchant for strip clubs at his manslaughter trial next month in the death of Michael Jackson.

In papers filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the defense argued that such evidence was irrelevant and would be used by prosecutors only "to inflame the passions of the jury."

Jackson's doctor pleads not guilty in singer's death

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's personal physician declared himself "innocent" in the singer's death Tuesday during a Superior Court appearance in which he also demanded his trial begin quickly.

Asked how he pleaded to a charge of involuntary manslaughter, the sole count to be decided at the trial now set for March 28, Dr. Conrad Murray paused and then said, "Your honor, I am an innocent man -- "

"What's your plea?" Judge Michael Pastor interrupted.

"Therefore, I plead not guilty," Murray said.

Neighbors recall encounters with Chasen suspect

LOS ANGELES -- A man who killed himself as he was confronted by detectives investigating the slaying of Hollywood publicist Ronni Chasen talked about serving time in prison, expressed fear that police were looking for him and vowed to die rather than return to custody, according to neighbors.

Beverly Hills police declined to provide any details Thursday about the case, including what role the man might have played in Chasen's killing and what led detectives to execute a search warrant at the Hollywood apartment building where he was living.

Several law enforcement officials and a neighbor identified the man as Harold Smith.

John Walsh, host of the television show "America's Most Wanted," said he believed detectives started to focus on Smith after the show's staff passed along a tip from the public. At the request of Beverly Hills police and people in the entertainment industry, the show recently featured Chasen's slaying and asked viewers for information that would help the homicide investigation, Walsh said.

Sex addiction is booming business

LOS ANGELES -- When she hung out her shingle as a sex addiction therapist in 1997, Alexandra Katehakis had only a handful of colleagues.

"There were five people in this field and we all knew each other," she said.

These days, Katehakis, a licensed marriage and family therapist, has hundreds of competitors and has grown her Los Angeles solo practice into the Center for Healthy Sex, "a full-blown organization" with a team of counselors, an intensive outpatient program, a range of therapy groups, an expansive website and training for other therapists.

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