Choreographer: Jackson not well days before death

LOS ANGELES -- A choreographer who worked with Michael Jackson on his ill-fated concert tour told a judge Tuesday he let the superstar skip rehearsal six days before he died because he seemed sick and out of shape.

Choreographer Kenny Ortega said he was summoned the next morning to Jackson's home and told by Dr. Conrad Murray to not try to be Jackson's doctor or psychiatrist.

Murray suggested Jackson should not have been sent home because he was physically and emotionally fine, Ortega testified.

The testimony came during a preliminary hearing to determine if Murray, the singer's personal physician, will be tried on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Ortega, who later directed the Jackson concert film "This Is It" based on rehearsal footage, said Jackson was in good spirits through most of the rehearsals and was excited about the progress being made in preparation for the London comeback shows.

In the days before Jackson's death, Ortega said, the singer told him there was nothing to worry about and gave him a big hug.

Ortega said he became concerned June 19, 2009, when Jackson arrived at Staples Center for rehearsal.

"He didn't look well at all. Michael was chilled and soft-spoken. ... He wasn't in the kind of condition to be at rehearsal," Ortega said.