MICHAEL JACKSON: Wrongful Death Trial Begins

The Michael Jackson wrongful death trial began Monday, pitting Katherine Jackson against AEG Live.

Katherine and Michael's three children filed the civil suit in 2010, claiming that the concert company is responsible for the pop star's death, which came two weeks before his This Is It comeback concerts. Their asking for damages estimated in the billions.

In his opening statement, lawyer Brian Panish said AEG was so desperate to stage Jackson’s comeback show that it negligently hired Conrad Murray, the convicted doctor who caused the King of Pop's overdose death in 2009. Panish told the jury, "There will be no question in your mind [AEG] were ruthless. They wanted to...be number-one. They wanted to be number-one at all costs."

AEG claims Jackson personally hired Murray and that it had no obligation to do a background check or supervise the doctor. In his opening statement, AEG's lawyer warned jurors that "we're going to show some ugly stuff."

The trial is expected to last several months.