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Closing arguments under way in Jackson trial
« on: Jun 2nd, 2005, 1:30pm » |
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Closing arguments under way in Jackson trial
Fans hold prayer vigil outside Jackson ranch
Thursday, June 2, 2005 Posted: 1:38 PM EDT (1738 GMT)
SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- The prosecution began making its closing arguments Thursday morning in the child molestation trial of pop star Michael Jackson.
Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville will allow each side four hours to make its final argument to the jury, sources told CNN. The judge told jurors he expected closing arguments to last all day Thursday and spill into Friday, after which the case will go to the jury.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon decided not to give the prosecution's final summation, assigning that task instead to his deputy, Ron Zonen.
Sneddon, who has been accused by Jackson and his supporters of engaging in a decade-long vendetta against the entertainer, gave the prosecution's opening argument -- a performance that was panned by many courtroom observers. (Opening statements)
Accompanied by his parents and brothers Jermaine, Tito and Randy, Jackson arrived at the Santa Maria courthouse Thursday wearing a black jacket and pants, a vest festooned with green-and-red plaid and a red armband.
Also at the courthouse Thursday to lend moral support was comedian and activist Dick Gregory, who met with Jackson's family Wednesday night.
About 75 fans and supporters gathered outside the gates of the entertainer's Neverland Ranch Wednesday night for a 30-minute prayer vigil. As the time of prayer concluded, the event became celebratory, with people singing Jackson's songs and dancing.
Fans also were on hand to greet Jackson when he arrived Thursday morning, and he acknowledged them with a wave.
Jackson was indicted in April 2004 on 10 counts stemming from incidents prosecutors say occurred in February and March 2003.
The charges against Jackson include:
Four counts of committing a lewd act on a child.
One count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
One count of attempting to commit a lewd act on a child.
Four counts of administering an intoxicating agent to assist in the commission of a felony.
Jackson pleaded not guilty to the charges and did not testify during the trial.
Melville ruled earlier this week that the charges of furnishing alcohol to a minor -- normally a felony -- could be considered a misdemeanor.
The chain of events that led to the charges against Jackson began in February 2003 after broadcast of "Living With Michael Jackson," a documentary by British journalist Martin Bashir.
In the program, Jackson was shown holding hands with the 13-year-old boy who later accused him of child molestation, and he defended as "loving" his practice of letting young boys sleep in his bed.
Prosecutors alleged that after the broadcast Jackson and five associates plotted to control and intimidate the accuser's family to get them to go along with damage control efforts, including holding them against their will at the entertainer's Neverland Ranch.
Jackson's lawyers have tried to paint his accuser's family as grifters with a habit of targeting the rich and famous for money.
CNN's Dree De Clamecy and Stan Wilson contributed to this report.
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Copyright 2005 CNN.
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