Re: Ultima Hora
Michael Heads Back to Court
August 16, 2004
Singing-sensation-turned-trial-bound-superstar
MICHAEL JACKSON is back in court today after making the shocking decision to attend an unusual pretrial proceeding. Tonight on ET, we're in Santa Maria, CA, as Santa Barbara County District Attorney
TOM SNEDDON -- the man prosecuting Jackson for child molestation -- will be taking the stand.
Jackson was not required to attend the session and even filed with the court an advance waiver of his appearance, but in a last-minute decision, the self-proclaimed "King of Pop" chose to attend. In a strange turn of events, Sneddon was subpoenaed by Jackson's current lawyer
THOMAS MESEREAU JR. to testify on the grounds that he and the sheriff's investigators violated the attorney-client privilege of confidentiality when they invaded the Beverly Hills offices of
BRADLEY MILLER, a private investigator working for Jackson's former lawyer
MARK GERAGOS.
Officials have already testified that they searched Miller's office and used a sledgehammer to break in and seize files and videotapes relating to the Jackson case. Although the officials claim they did not know Miller was employed by Geragos, Jackson's current defense team argue that all materials taken in the raid should not be allowed as evidence into Jackson's trial.
Jackson's parents
JOSEPH and
KATHERINE, along with his siblings
JANET,
LaTOYA, and
JERMAINE are expected to attend in support of the 45-year-old star.
Jackson is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $3 million bail.
e.t