Mrs Jackson 'only went to loo'
2005-04-11 14:26
Santa Maria - Michael Jackson's mother said that she left the courtroom during her son's child molestation trial last week to use the ladies room - not to avoid hearing graphic testimony.
Katherine Jackson, who has attended every day of the trial, said on Sunday through a spokesperson that many media outlets misinterpreted her brief absence from the courtroom on Thursday.
"Accusing me of leaving due to graphic testimony when I simply went to the rest room is not fair, not accurate," she said in a written statement.
Her spokesperson, Angel Howansky, said Katherine Jackson stepped out during a break when attorneys were meeting in the judge's chambers. When she tried to re-enter, the jury had already been seated and she had to wait until the next break, Howansky said.
Michael Jackson, 46, is on trial for allegedly molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch in 2003. On Thursday, a former security guard at the ranch told a lurid story about seeing Jackson kiss, fondle and perform oral sex on a boy who later received a financial settlement from the pop star.
Defence attorneys have accused the guard of making up the story after he lost a lawsuit against the singer.
- AP