Arrest Warrant Issued for Michael Jackson
Posted on Thu Mar 10, 2005 at 09:04:02 AM EST
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Jackson Trial Update
Thursday March 10
Michael Jackson didn't show for court this morning. His lawyer, Tom Mesereau, says he is at a hospital getting treatment for a back problem. The judge has issued an arrest warrant and given Jackson one hour to appear or he will forfeit the $3 million bail. Jackson's accuser was set to continue his testimony today.
Additional news I've heard: Jackson woke up at 5:30 with a sharp shooting back pain. He felt paralyzed. He went to the hospital thinking he would get a muscle relaxer and ended up staying a few hours.
Officers are on their way to meet his car at the highway and bring him to court.
The hour is up, Jackson just arrived at the courthouse. He's walking out of his own accord. Stiffly. He looks shaken. There's a crowd outside shouting "Innocent." He's wearing blue hospital pants. Will the Judge put him in custody? He's five minutes late.
Update: Reports are that the Judge gave him a 15 minute grace period. People are re-entering the courtroom now so court will resume. Will he be wearing his pajamas? Is he too medicated to proceed?
Jackson is now seated in his chair and the accuser is in the witness chair. It looks like the trial will proceed.
Update: The judge instructed the jury:
Update: The accuser finished his direct testimony and has been turned over to the defense for cross-examination. Here's what the boy testified to today. He was chatty on the stand, so much so that Mesereau objected, complaining he was going far beyond the question put to him and engaging in narratives. Cross will be the test. If the accuser's version rings true after that, Jackson will be in trouble. I think Mesereau has the goods to debunk his claims, but we'll see tomorrow.The jury was then brought in and the judge told them, "Mr Jackson had a medical problem this morning and it was necessary for me to order his appearance."
He told the jury they should not draw a negative inference from that. "If one of you had called in sick or not appeared, or if one of the attorneys did, I would do the same thing. The trial is going to go forward (and) this has nothing to do with guilt or innocence." Melville did not say what sanctions, if any, he would taken against Jackson.
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