While Michael Jackson recovers from a severe back spasm, his defense team was present in court on Friday to argue over motions brought forth by both sides.
The Jackson defense team was battling prosecution requests to expose Jackson's financial records which according to the prosecution, is evidence that Jackson is on the brink of bankruptcy. Defense attorneys however argue that the defendant's finances are of no relevance for the time period of the allegation at hand. Defense attorney Robert Sanger angrily objected to deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss' technique of providing "sound bites for the media" in his arguments rather than addressing issues pertinent to the case.
While Michael Jackson recovers from a severe back spasm, his defense team was present in court on Friday to argue over motions brought forth by both sides.
The Jackson defense team was battling prosecution requests to expose Jackson's financial records which according to the prosecution, is evidence that Jackson is on the brink of bankruptcy. Defense attorneys however argue that the defendant's finances are of no relevance for the time period of the allegation at hand. Defense attorney Robert Sanger angrily objected to deputy district attorney Gordon Auchincloss' technique of providing "sound bites for the media" in his arguments rather than addressing issues pertinent to the case.
The prosecution though seemed relentless in their pursuit in wanting to subpoena the pop star's financial records and Auchincloss continued to rattle off figures claiming to be liabilities incurred by the entertainer which according to the prosecution "will all come crashing down on him in December of 2005." The relevance of all this to the child molestation and conspiracy charges brought against Jackson remains blurred, though the prosecution claims Jackson's heavy debt led him to hoax the accuser and family into doing a rebuttal video after the airing of the damaging Bashir documentary.
Judge Melville stated that he did not wish to inundate the jury with financial statements and burden the twelve members with financial accounts of the entertainer when they don't necessarily relate a pertinent story. With this, Auchincloss agreed that the prosecution only required a snap shot of Jackson's financial statements in order to prove a panicked action plan instigated by Jackson which allegedly had financial motives. Judge agreed to allow this in but, urged attorneys from both sides to reach an agreement by Thursday next week with regards to the financial statements.
Judge Melville did not allow the jury a visit to Jackson's Neverland Ranch stating that there existed enough video evidence and also refused to hold talk show host Jay Leno under the gag order. Judge Melville stated that Leno could continue to make Jackson jokes and that it was not constitutional to bar Leno from carrying on his livelihood although defense attorney Sanger pointed out that Leno refraining from telling Jackson jokes would not put him out of business.
The judge refused the defense to "relitigate" a lawsuit brought by the accuser's mother against J.C. Penny where the defense planned to show a pattern of sexual abuse charges brought by this woman. Judge Melville also rejected a request by media attorney Theodore Boutrous Jr. to allow television networks to air video exhibits shown inside the courtroom.
Friday, Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain told the Associated Press that Jackson remained in pain from his back ailment which caused a delayed arrival in court on Thursday causing a stir both inside and outside the courtroom almost over shadowing the day's court proceedings.
"He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life," Bain told of Jackson's painful back and also challenged reports that were swirling stating, "Michael was not intimidated by his accuser," she said. "His defense team has done an exceptional job, and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser."
Source: AP/eMJey