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Jackson: Comedians may testify
24/05/2005 07:44 - (SA)
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| Michael Jackson seems to be praying as he leaves the Santa Barbara County Courthouse following defence testimony in his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, California. (Phil Klein, AP) |
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Santa Maria - Comedians Jay Leno and Chris Tucker might be the last witnesses to appear for Michael Jackson's defence as the entertainer's high-powered lawyers move rapidly to wrap up their case as early as Tuesday.
Defence team sources said on Monday that with Jackson's defence now running at more than three weeks, attorneys feel they have done enough to persuade the jury that their client should be acquitted of the child-molestation and other charges levelled against him.
Leno and Tucker are expected to tell jurors about their suspicions that the accuser's mother was trying to shake them down.
Their evidence will reinforce the main defence strategy to portray the woman as a "professional plaintiff" who fabricated the charges against Jackson to extort money from him.
On Monday, the jury heard from a social worker who implied that the woman had committed fraud by failing to report a legal settlement of some $150 000 on her application for welfare assistance.
The family received the settlement from the JC Penney department store chain after accusing private security guards of assaulting them, after the guards had suspected the family of shoplifting.
Another defence witness testified on Monday that during the weeks the family claimed they were being held captive by Jackson, they went on shopping sprees that cost the entertainer over $7 000.
Also on Monday, a maid to Jackson was on the witness stand and testified about an alarm chime that alerted Jackson when someone was approaching his bedroom. The evidence was aimed at discounting testimony from the accuser's brother that on two occasions he had sneaked into the room and saw Jackson fondling his sibling.
Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in February and March 2003 at his California ranch, after the pair were shown holding hands in a British documentary.
He is also accused of plying the boy with alcohol and holding his family against their will to coerce them into recording a video clearing Jackson of the molestation suspicions.
Jackson has denied all the charges and could face more than 20 years in jail if found guilty.
After the defence wraps up its case, the prosecution will call witnesses for a rebuttal, followed by another chance for defence cross examination, after which the case will go to the jury.
- Sapa-dpa
- SAPA
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