Michael Jackson Trial Latest - Defence Rests Today

Michael Jackson (CDs) is not likely to give evidence in his trial. Latest news suggests that his defence lawyers are ready to rest their case today, without having brought the singer to the witness stand, sparing him the process of being questioned about his private life in court.

Comedian Chris Tucker (DVDs) will continue his testimony today. He is the latest and last witness that the defence team have called.

Yesterday also saw the much-trumpeted Jay Leno testimony, although
it was not as dramatic as the defence team made out. They claimed that
the mother of Jackson’s accuser had repeatedly called Leno to try and
get money from him. However, according to Leno, the boy never asked for
money, though he was unusually over-complimentary towards the
big-chinned talkshow host. "I’m not Batman", he helpfully pointed out.

The biggest shock of the day came when a witness claimed that the accuser’s mother had threatened to kill her
if she exposed her lies. This refers to a deposition in 1998, when the
mother claimed that a store’s security guards beat her senseless after
being caught shoplifting. In reality, the injuries were caused by a
fight with her ex-husband.

According to the witness, when she tried to coerce the mother into
telling the truth about her injuries, the mother said she knew where
the witness lived, and that a gang member would kill her and her nine
year-old daughter if she spoke out.

This was another boost for the defence, as their claims rest on the
mother fabricating the accusations against Michael Jackson, which
include ten felonies, four counts of molesting the boy, four counts of
plying
him with alcohol in order to molest him, attempted molestation and
conspiracy to hold the family against their will at his Neverland
ranch. If he’s found guilty, Michael Jackson could face 20 years in
prison.

Related stories:

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Nevermore

Michael Jackson Trial Update - Judge Has Banned Celebrities

Michael Jackson Latest - Macaulay Takes The Stand   

[story by Stuart Heritage]