SANTA MARIA, California (AP) -- Reversing his previous position, the judge in the Michael Jackson molestation case ruled Friday an audiotape of an interview conducted for Jackson's legal team should be turned over to the prosecution.
In March, Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville barred the prosecution from using the audiotape, which was seized from the office of a private investigator working for Jackson's legal team.
Mark Geragos, Jackson's lawyer, had said the audiotape included an interview that could identify areas of defense strategy and should remain secret.
Melville had previously agreed, but he reversed course after the prosecution asked him to reconsider.
In his ruling, Melville said the tape largely focused on "the obvious need to ascertain basic facts" and does not include "any sort of record of any attorney's or agent's theories or impressions."
The tape was among several items taken from the office Nov. 18, the same day Jackson's Neverland Ranch was searched.
The tape's release to the prosecution will be delayed for 15 days to give the defense a chance to appeal.
Jackson is charged with seven counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under age 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to the child. He has pleaded innocent.
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