Open court for Jacko
2005-01-13 07:28
California - The judge in the Michael Jackson child-molestation case ruled on Wednesday that arguments over whether the jury can hear evidence of prior sexual offences by the singer will be held in open court.
The ruling by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville was a victory for the news media and the prosecution, which both opposed a defence request to take up the matter behind closed doors.
"I was very pleased that the judge recognised the California Supreme Court ruling that hearings such as admission of evidence be held in open court," media attorney Theodore Boutrous Jun said.
The judge said he will schedule the arguments after the jury is selected.
Jackson was not present on Wednesday. The 46-year-old pop star is charged with plying a boy with alcohol and molesting him. Jury selection begins on January 31.
Jackson's lawyers had contended that holding an open hearing on the alleged prior offences would influence prospective jurors.
- AP