SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Reuters) - The judge in Michael Jackson's child molestation case issued a warrant for the entertainer's arrest after Jackson failed to show up for his trial on Thursday, the day his young accuser was set to continue his testimony.
Jackson's attorney explained that the 46-year-old entertainer was in the hospital with a back problem. The judge rejected that explanation, ordering that Jackson's bail be revoked and the entertainer jailed if he did not appear within an hour.
Jackson's 15-year-old accuser was to have begun his second day on the witness stand on Thursday morning.
Jackson is accused of sexually molesting the boy, a cancer survivor, and plying him with alcohol at the entertainer's Neverland Valley Ranch in 2003.
The pop star, who has pleaded innocent, is also charged with conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He could face more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 criminal counts.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville said he would stay Jackson's arrest warrant for one hour to give him time to show up in court.
Melville, who began the court session promptly at 8:30 a.m., noticed immediately that Jackson was not seated at the defense table. At the time, Jackson's lawyer, Tom Mesereau, was talking on his cell phone.
"I notice the defendant is not here," Melville said.
Mesereau answered that Jackson had been taken to a hospital with "a serious back problem," adding, "It's my understanding that he's on his way in."
But Melville rejected that explanation.
"I'm issuing a warrant for his arrest and forfeiting his bail," Melville said, speaking over a bid by Mesereau to speak on Jackson's behalf. "I'll hold the warrant for one hour to give him time to be in court. After that, I'll issue the warrant."
The judge then announced that the court was in recess and walked off the bench.
god damn pussy
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....S11DDCCRBAEOCFEY?type=topNews&storyID=7867599
Jackson's attorney explained that the 46-year-old entertainer was in the hospital with a back problem. The judge rejected that explanation, ordering that Jackson's bail be revoked and the entertainer jailed if he did not appear within an hour.
Jackson's 15-year-old accuser was to have begun his second day on the witness stand on Thursday morning.
Jackson is accused of sexually molesting the boy, a cancer survivor, and plying him with alcohol at the entertainer's Neverland Valley Ranch in 2003.
The pop star, who has pleaded innocent, is also charged with conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He could face more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 criminal counts.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville said he would stay Jackson's arrest warrant for one hour to give him time to show up in court.
Melville, who began the court session promptly at 8:30 a.m., noticed immediately that Jackson was not seated at the defense table. At the time, Jackson's lawyer, Tom Mesereau, was talking on his cell phone.
"I notice the defendant is not here," Melville said.
Mesereau answered that Jackson had been taken to a hospital with "a serious back problem," adding, "It's my understanding that he's on his way in."
But Melville rejected that explanation.
"I'm issuing a warrant for his arrest and forfeiting his bail," Melville said, speaking over a bid by Mesereau to speak on Jackson's behalf. "I'll hold the warrant for one hour to give him time to be in court. After that, I'll issue the warrant."
The judge then announced that the court was in recess and walked off the bench.
god damn pussy
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle....S11DDCCRBAEOCFEY?type=topNews&storyID=7867599
:thumb:
