SANTA MARIA, California (Reuters):
CHEERED BY fans and
with his freedom, career and reputation on the line, Michael Jackson strode confidently into a California courtroom yesterday to watch jury
selection begin in his child molestation case.
The 46-year-old Jackson,
who said on Sunday that he would be "acquitted and
vindicated" at trial, strode briskly into the courthouse dressed all in white chosen
as a symbol of innocence.
He was accompanied by his lawyer and a phalanx of bodyguards, one of whom held an umbrella over him to shield him from the sun as fans from around the world stood behind fences holding up signs of encouragement, including such placards as 'France supports M.J.' and 'We believe you Michael'.
VICTORY SIGN
Appearing upbeat, Jackson smiled and made a V-for-victory gesture.
He is accused of sexually molesting a 13-year-old boy while the youth and his family lived at Jackson's fairy tale-like estate, Neverland Valley Ranch, in the hills above the central California city of Santa Maria.
After walking through a
metal detector and having an officer wave a security wand over him, Jackson and his lawyer sat at the defence
table as the first pools of
potential jurors were brought
in.
Jackson's family offered
him support with his mother, Katherine, telling CBS's
'The Early Show' yesterday that, "I know my son and this is ridiculous."
About 750 prospective jurors were to be summoned to the courtroom of Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville, in a selection process that could take up to a month.
TRIAL COULD RUN SIX MONTHS
The would-be jurors were reporting in groups of 150 to determine if they can serve in a trial that could last six months.
The judge will try to assemble a pool of possible jurors, who will be given seven-page questionnaires about the case and told to return on February 7.
The trial of Jackson, one of the world's best-known entertainers, has drawn worldwide media attention.
Some of Jackson's supporters camped out overnight at the courthouse, despite chilly weather and fences designed to keep them well away from the performer.
More than 1,000 journalists from Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico and the United States have registered to cover the trial. On Sunday, reporters waited in line for five hours to pick up credentials needed to get through tight security surrounding the courthouse property.
Although Jackson's famed Neverland compound is in the hills above Santa Maria, the self-proclaimed 'King of Pop' is rarely seen in the working-class town of 80,000 and has little in common with the 12 residents who will sit in judgment on him.
A grand jury handed down a 10-count indictment against Jackson in April, charging him with lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 and conspiring to commit the crimes of abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
The indictment stems from accusations made by a now 15-year-old boy and recovering cancer patient, seen holding hands with Jackson in a controversial documentary that aired on ABC and British television in February 2003.
Jackson on Sunday released a video-taped statement, saying that leaks to the media about grand jury testimony in the case contained information that was 'disgusting and false' and predicted victory at trial.
"I love my community and I have great faith in our justice system," Jackson said. "Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told."
