Jackson jurors get guidance

2005-06-01 22:08

Santa Maria - The judge in Michael Jackson's child-sex trial on Wednesday instructed jurors not to be swayed by pity, prejudice or public sympathy when considering the superstar's fate.

Judge Rodney Melville told the panel of eight women and four men that "pity" and other emotional and external considerations should not colour their decision on whether or not to find Jackson guilty.

"You must not be influenced by sentiment, conjecture, prejudice, public sympathy or public feeling," said the judge after summoning jurors back into court after a day and a half of legal wrangling out of their earshot.

Jackson, 46, was also back in court as panellists were handed a 2.5cm thick book of jury instructions, the size of a thin phone directory, that were hammered out during arguments between rival lawyers.

Judge lists the charges

Melville told panellists they could discuss details of the case of the world's most-famous defendant only between themselves, and should not seek counsel from outsiders including spouses, spiritual advisers or therapists.

In addition, the jury must apply the law as it was explained to them by the judge, Melville told them, adding they must accept the law as it was, even if they personally disagreed with it.

Melville then individually listed each charge against the faded King of Pop, who faces 10 counts of fondling a 13-year-old cancer survivor in early 2003, serving him alcohol and conspiring to hold the boy and his family captive.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty on all counts.

Under California law, the judge must read the instructions to jurors as well as hand them the book of specific guidelines of how they should come to a decision that could see Jackson jailed for up to 20 years.

- AFP