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Sumner Redstone competency trial set to begin in Los Angeles

FILE - In this April 20, 2013, file photo, media mogul Sumner Redstone arrives at the 2013 MOCA Gala celebrating the opening of the Urs Fischer exhibition at MOCA, in Los Angeles. A judge ruled on Monday, May 2, 2016, that Sumner Redstone should give 30 minutes of videotaped, sworn testimony in a case about the ailing media mogul's mental capacity that was filed by Redstone's ex-girlfriend and longtime companion, Manuela Herzer. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) FILE - In this April 20, 2013, file photo, media mogul Sumner Redstone arrives at the 2013 MOCA Gala celebrating the opening of the Urs Fischer exhibition at MOCA, in Los Angeles. A judge ruled on Monday, May 2, 2016, that Sumner Redstone should give 30 minutes of videotaped, sworn testimony in a case about the ailing media mogul's mental capacity that was filed by Redstone's ex-girlfriend and longtime companion, Manuela Herzer. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

By Associated Press May 6, 2016 1 min read

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A trial to determine the mental competency of media mogul Sumner Redstone is scheduled to begin Friday in Los Angeles.

Testimony is expected to begin with a closed session viewing of videotaped testimony solicited from Redstone at his home on Thursday.

Redstone, who suffers from a severe speech impediment, controls Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.

A judge has said seeing and hearing from the 92-year-old Redstone is crucial to the case and his ruling on whether the mogul is capable of making decisions for himself.

The trial will focus on whether Redstone knowingly kicked out Manuela Herzer, a former girlfriend and longtime companion, from his mansion in October.