Khaleej Times Online
Jackson attorneys brace for new onslaught
(AFP)
10 April 2005
SANTA MARIA, California - Michael Jackson’s lawyers are bracing for another week of potentially devastating testimony, after a string of witnesses told lurid tales of alleged child sex abuse at Neverland.
Court-watchers say the defense is certain to redouble its efforts to tear down the character and credibility of prosecution witnesses the Jackson team portray as scheming money-grubbers.
Already in past days the jury has been given the tough task of weighing the compelling testimony against often gaping inconsistencies in the witnesses’ accounts of goings-on more than a decade ago at Jackson’s fantasy-themed estate.
The “King of Pop” is on trial for allegedly fondling a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch two years ago, but the prosecution hopes the prior cases will demonstrate a pattern of child abuse in his past.
In coming days jurors are expected to hear more testimony from witnesses to the alleged abuse of five young boys in the early 1990s and events in the current case.
Among those expected to take the stand is the mother of an alleged molestation victim who won a 20 million dollar out of court settlement from Jackson in 1994.
Christopher Carter is likely to be another key prosecution witness, but the defense is sure to have a field day with the former Neverland security chief who will show up under police escort because he was recently arrested for armed robbery and kidnapping.
Lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau has already made some inroads in his all-out campaign to destroy the credibility of the prosecution witnesses.
In recent days, witness after witness gave lurid accounts of alleged incidents in which they said Michael Jackson fondled and kissed young boys, showered with them and in one case performed oral sex on a 13 year old.
But the defense could later call to the witness stand some of the alleged victims who have denied Jackson ever behaved improperly toward them.
The prosecution appeared likely to wrap up its presentation of the prior cases within days, and could then move on to claims of kidnapping it has had a tough time demonstrating so far.
Prosecutors claim that Jackson not only fondled a 13-year-old cancer survivor two years ago, but also plied him with alcohol and conspired to hold him and his family against their will in a bid to force them to clear his name.
Lead prosecutor Tom Sneddon has said he may rest his case soon, though the trial itself is expected to continue for several months.
“I can see light at the end of the tunnel as far as resting our case,” Sneddon told Judge Rodney Melville on Friday.
The no-nonsense judge, who likes to occasionally leaven the proceedings with humor, asked the attorney facetiously if that meant December or January.
“I think the light is a little brighter than that,” Sneddon replied.
Jackson who could face 20 years behind bars if convicted has pleaded innocent to all 10 charges against him.
No comments:
Post a Comment