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Monday, November 9, 2026Nov 9

Judge keeps Joni Mitchell’s friend in charge of medical care

FILE - This March 20, 2008 file photo shows Joni Mitchell, left, and Herbie Hancock perform as part of Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music in Los Angeles. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, appointed Mitchell’s longtime friend Leslie Morris as the conservator for the singer-songwriter, praising her work in helping the eight-time Grammy Award winner recover from an aneurysm that hospitalized Mitchell in late March.  (AP Photo/Mark Mainz, File)
FILE - This March 20, 2008 file photo shows Joni Mitchell, left, and Herbie Hancock perform as part of Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music in Los Angeles. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, appointed Mitchell’s longtime friend Leslie Morris as the conservator for the singer-songwriter, praising her work in helping the eight-time Grammy Award winner recover from an aneurysm that hospitalized Mitchell in late March. (AP Photo/Mark Mainz, File) FILE - This March 20, 2008 file photo shows Joni Mitchell, left, and Herbie Hancock perform as part of Nissan Live Sets on Yahoo! Music in Los Angeles. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge on Wednesday, July 8, 2015, appointed Mitchell’s longtime friend Leslie Morris as the conservator for the singer-songwriter, praising her work in helping the eight-time Grammy Award winner recover from an aneurysm that hospitalized Mitchell in late March. (AP Photo/Mark Mainz, File)

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A judge says Joni Mitchell’s close friend should continue to make medical decisions for the singer-songwriter while she recovers from an aneurysm.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Cunningham III ruled Wednesday that Mitchell’s longtime friend Leslie Morris should remain her conservator. Morris has been acting in that capacity since May and has helped guide the eight-time Grammy winner after an aneurysm rendered her unable to speak for some time.

Mitchell has returned to her Los Angeles home and has regained her speech. An attorney appointed to represent the singer wrote in a filing Tuesday that Mitchell is expected to make a full recovery.

Cunningham praised Morris’ efforts to help her friend recover.

The judge’s order grants Morris control only over Mitchell’s medical care.