Nineteenth Court Session

Today, Judge Melville announced that he would allow evidence related to the 1993 allegations against Michael Jackson to be introduced in the current trial.

The prosecution claims that seven other boys were also sexually abused by Michael Jackson. However, without stating the reason, the judge removed two of them from the list. Among the five remaining, only one agreed to testify, and the judge accepted his testimony and that of his mother in court.

This boy, in 1990, after receiving $2.4 million from Michael Jackson, withdrew the accusation against Jackson. He claimed that Jackson touched him twice over his clothes and once under his clothes.

The 1993 complainant—who is also one of these five—does not want to testify in court.

The list of five also includes Macaulay Culkin, the star of the film “Home Alone.” However, he has repeatedly denied any misconduct by Michael Jackson.

It is still unclear what the prosecution intends to accuse Michael Jackson of doing to these five boys.

Michael Jackson was never found guilty for these allegations. But the prosecution’s goal is to convince the jury that Michael Jackson has a history of abusing young boys.

In most criminal cases, evidence related to previous cases against defendants is not admissible. However, California state laws changed in 1995, and under the new rules, such evidence can be used in some child abuse and domestic violence cases.

Defense attorney Thomas Mesereau urged the judge not to involve the past allegations in this case. According to him, these allegations were brought by third parties and their goal was to obtain money. Mesereau said the prosecution is trying to save a case that is currently falling apart, using suspicious witnesses who have no purpose other than money.

Mesereau then referred to one of Jackson’s former employees. After he lost in court, he was forced to pay Jackson $1 million in damages.

Mesereau also said that Macaulay Culkin—whom the prosecution claims was sexually abused by Michael Jackson—has consistently stated that he never witnessed any abuse by Jackson.

Addressing the judge, Thomas Mesereau said that for each of the charges presented to the jury, he would set up a separate mini-trial. Mesereau warned: “You can’t keep the defense from presenting a full and proper defense. And I’m taking this very seriously.”

After the arguments over admitting evidence from previous cases concluded, Jackson entered the courtroom. With the judge’s permission, comedian and television actor George Lopez took the witness stand and spoke about his help to the complainant’s family.

He testified that the complainant’s father was thinking about money more than he was concerned about the child’s health. He also said that the complainant’s father accused him of stealing $300 from his son’s wallet. He stated that he eventually cut ties with this family due to the complainant’s father’s constant and violent demands. When the complainant’s father asked him what he should tell his son about why the relationship was cut, Lopez said: “Tell him his father is a extortionist.”

When Jackson was asked about the judge’s decision as he left the courtroom, he did not respond.

Source: Associated Press