Mood:
energetic
September 17, 2004 The world-famous pop star MICHAEL JACKSON, who's facing child molestation charges, arrived in a Santa Maria court Friday to face off against the mother of the boy who is accusing him.
Shortly after the proceedings concluded at noon, Jackson attorney THOMAS MESEREAU made a statement -- with the Jackson family behind him -- addressing previous settlements the pop star had made with other accusers. He also said, "The charges [Jackson] faces are false and will be battled in a court of law within our justice system. He is innocent and will be vindicated."
In the morning, the accuser's mother took the stand to undergo a series of questions about whether or not she knew private investigator BRADLEY MILLER was an employee of Jackson's former attorney MARK GERAGOS when his office was searched by prosecutors and law enforcement. She testified that she did not remember if he told her he worked for Jackson, but she did believe he worked for the singer. She also answered questions about her and her family's alleged, false imprisonment at Jackson's Neverland ranch.
According to an ET source, the mother was described as evasive and nervous, and at one point she stopped cold in her testimony because she thought she heard whispering in the Jackson camp that was sitting right in front of her, and said that the whispering was throwing her off. When asked if she knew what the purpose of the hearings were, the mother of the accuser said that the purpose was just to bring more torture to her and her children. This is also the first time the accuser's mother has come face to face with Jackson's mother. Incidentally, there was a paramedic in the courtroom in case of emergency.
Like the most recent hearing, Michael and his family members, including brother JERMAINE and sisters JANET and LaTOYA JACKSON, arrived to the proceedings wearing all white.
On Thursday, the defense argued that the items taken in the search of the office, as well as Neverland Ranch, including a calendar, computers and tapes, should not be allowed into evidence because they were taken improperly and that the office should have never been searched due to the attorney-client privilege of confidentiality.
Jackson is not required to attend the court hearing, but in August also appeared in court when Santa Barbara District Attorney TOM SNEDDON testified.
In April, Jackson was booked on a 10-count indictment and charged with committing lewd acts on a child, attempting a lewd act and administering an intoxicating agent. He is free on $3 million bail and has pleaded innocent to all of the charges. His trial is scheduled to begin in January.
For the latest on the Jackson case, check out tonight's ET!