Los Angeles ( CNN ) -- Face-to-face questioning of potential jurors to hear the case against Michael Jackson 's doctor began in a packed Los Angeles courtroom Friday morning , four days ahead of the opening statements and testimony . The pool of 84 potential jurors in court appeared diverse , although only six were African-American . Each side will be allowed 10 `` peremptory challenges , '' allowing them to get rid of jurors without stating a reason . Prosecutors and defense lawyers mutually agreed in closed-door sessions Wednesday and Thursday on which potential jurors in a pool of 145 were too biased to put their prejudices aside to decide if Dr. Conrad Murray is criminally responsible for the pop icon 's death , according to Murray defense lawyer Michael Flanagan . `` Both sides just want to get a fair jury that has n't made up their mind and is willing to make a decision based upon the facts , '' Flanagan said after Thursday 's jury selection session . Lead defense lawyer Ed Chernoff said there were no surprising reasons for striking jurors `` for cause , '' and the pool was filled with people who could be open-minded . `` Time ameliorates things , '' Chernoff said . Flanagan predicted Thursday afternoon that Friday 's jury selection would `` go very fast . '' While most judges allow defense lawyers an hour to question potential jurors , Pastor is allowing just 20 minutes for each side , Flanagan said . `` Twenty minutes is a pretty short period of time , '' Flanagan said . `` You ca n't say 'hi ' to everybody in 20 minutes . '' It is expected 12 jurors and six alternates will be chosen by the end of court Friday . Murray , who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson 's death , would face up to four years in prison if the jury finds him guilty . The `` for cause '' strikes were based mostly on written answers potential jurors gave to 113 questions earlier this month . Lawyers had a week to study the questionnaire responses , a process they went through once before in April before the trial was delayed for several months . `` One of the things that we learned in the case the last go-around in the jury selection , it 's absolutely shocking how many jurors think already they know everything about this case , '' Chernoff said in an interview last week with Jean Casarez , a reporter with CNN sister network In Session . Opening statements for the trial , which will be televised , are scheduled for September 27 . The judge told members of the jury pool he expects their service will be over on or about October 28 . The Los Angeles coroner has ruled that Jackson 's death on June 25 , 2009 , was caused by an overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol combined with other drugs . Prosecutors have accused Murray , who served as Jackson 's personal and full-time physician at the time , of having a role in the overdose . They contend Murray used a makeshift intravenous drip to administer propofol intended to help Jackson sleep , a practice they argue violated the standard of care and led to the pop music icon 's death .
Wednesday : 84 potential witnesses , including two African - Americans , are in the jury pool . Jury selection ` ` is going to go very fast , '' defense lawyer Michael Flanagan says . Jury selection is expected to be wrapped up Friday . Opening statements in the presence of Michael Jackson 's lawyer are set for Tuesday .