Jackson lawsuit due in court June 18

A lawsuit filed against entertainer Michael Jackson and Marian Medical Center is due to appear in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria on June 18. The lawsuit was filed Feb. 15 by the family of Manuela Gomez Ruiz, who was moved Feb. 15, 2005, from a two-bed trauma room at Marian so that Jackson could have the room. Jackson reportedly entered the hospital because he was suffering from flu-like symptoms during his child molestation trial. The lawsuit alleges abuse of celebrity status. Ruiz, 73, of Santa Maria, was on a life support after she suffered a heart attack, and died the night of Feb. 15, 2005. The June 18 court appearance is a case management conference that will be heard by Judge Rodney Melville, the same judge who presided over Jackson's 2005 child molestation trial. Source: Santa Maria Times/MJJF/eMJey