Judge Rodney Melville informed the prospective jurors yesterday that the trial of singer Michael Jackson would be delayed by a week following a death in the family of pop star’s lead attorney, Thomas Mesereau. The trial will resume on Monday 14 February.
Meanwhile, the 230 prospective panelists who showed up at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, were sent home, after Melville assigned each a random number for questioning and told them to avoid watching or reading anything about the case. “You may not talk to anyone about this case or any subject connected to this case, which includes each other,” he warned.
The short second week will give prosecutors and defence lawyers additional time to analyse the questionnaires filled out by the more than 250 potential jurors. The two sides are then expected to start questioning some of the men and women who could determine Jackson's fate. Since the jury would have to be unanimous to convict Jackson, its composition could be critical in determining the outcome of the trial.
However, despite the defense objections, Melville agreed to release the questionnaires later this week. According to lists submitted to the judge, many celebrities might be put on the witness stand. Among them is the entertainer's first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, who sources say, may be used by the district attorney's office to contrast Jackson's child-like public persona with reports that he often spoke privately in a deep voice and used profanity.
Prosecutors have also issued a subpoena to Jackson's second wife, Debbie Rowe, who's currently embroiled in a custody spat with him over their two children, Prince and Paris. According to Celebrity Justice, Rowe signed a confidentiality agreement that forbade her from discussing Jackson's drug use or sexual behavior.
The District Attorney is also reportedly mulling calling Jackson pals Macaulay Culkin and Emanuel Lewis, both of whom spent quality time with the pop star when they were child stars, as well as comedian Chris Tucker and Britney Spears choreographer Wade Robson.
British journalist Martin Bashir, whose documentary “Living with Michael Jackson” sparked the child-molestation investigation against Jackson, has reportedly sought legal counsel to battle a subpoena by prosecutors, claiming he has immunity as a reporter. Melville has already ruled that the jury can see Bashir's documentary.
Jackson is charged with ten counts of child molestation and conspiring to commit extortion, false imprisonment and child abduction. He is pleading innocent to the charges.
