Dr. Conrad Murray, shown April 5, had his preliminary hearing set for Jan. 4 in a Los Angeles court appearance Monday. (David McNew/Associated Press)

A Los Angeles judge has set Jan. 4 as the start of a preliminary hearing for the doctor charged in connection with Michael Jackson's death.

Dr. Conrad Murray, who administered drugs to the King of Pop on the night of his death, appeared briefly in an L.A. courtroom on Monday.

Several members of Jackson's family, including his mother Katherine and father Joseph, also were present.

Murray, 57, has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson's death at the age of 50 last June.

The singer was planning a huge comeback tour beginning in London and had demanded sedatives and other drugs to help him sleep.

At the preliminary hearing, Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor will hear the evidence against the doctor and determine if it is sufficient for him to stand trial.

The hearing is expected to last about two weeks.

Murray's defence team is seeking to retest three chemical samples obtained from syringes and an I.V. found in Jackson's Los Angeles home.

The judge did not rule on the issue, saying the defence and prosecution should work out a compromise on the request.

With files from The Associated Press