The prosecution and defence in the Michael Jackson (CDs) trial will each have four hours to sum up their arguments in closing statements today.

The prosecution has been attempting to paint Michael Jackson as a textbook paedophile, luring kids with pornography and alcohol. They’ve called 85 witnesses to strengthen their argument, including comedian George Lopez. Their biggest piece of evidence was said to have been a video of the accusing boy recalling Michael Jackson drunk and masturbating.

The defence retaliated by bringing in Macaulay Culkin to
testify that nothing sexual happened in his famous childhood
relationship with Jackson, and by painting the accuser’s mother as
manipulative and greedy for cash. However, Michael Jackson did not
stand as a witness himself, which is seen as something of a setback to
their case.

The jury have had their instructions read to them, a 98-page affair
that took two hours to read. They have to judge whether Michael Jackson
is innocent or guilty of ten separate counts, including four counts of
molestation and one of attempted molestation, four counts of supplying
alcohol to a minor with intent to molest him and one count of
conspiracy  to commit child abduction, extortion and false
imprisonment.

Jackson, currently said to be feeling "subdued", faces up to 20
years in prison if he is found guilty of all ten counts made against
him, which he denies.

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[story by Stuart Heritage]