Update

THE atmosphere turned electric in courtroom 101 — the second Michael Jackson spotted Martin Bashir.

Jacko’s demeanour changed in an instant. And his reported hatred for the British journalist could not have been more obvious.

He glowered ferociously at Bashir, whose documentary sparked events that led to him facing child sex charges.

But his glares later turned to TEARS during scenes from the ITV Tonight programme, which was shown to the jury.

Jackson was in the well of the court with his defence team when Bashir suddenly appeared from the back.

He became instantly agitated, eyeballing the journalist and making a remark to his lawyer Thomas Mesereau.


Jacko — wearing a navy suit, red waistcoat and a gold armband — then repeatedly glowered at the documentary maker.

But the journalist IGNORED him — and simply glanced around acknowledging other reporters as he took a seat in the public gallery.

It is believed to be the first time the pair have seen each other since Bashir’s 2003 ITV documentary Living With Michael Jackson.

And the journalist was in court in Santa Maria, California, as the first witness in what has been dubbed the trial of the century.

As the jury filed in, the TV journalist stood up. District Attorney Tom Sneddon then announced: “I call my first witness Martin Bashir. Mr Bashir come forward please.”

As Bashir, 42, strode across court to the witness stand, Jackson, 46, leaned forward and shot him a look of pure hate

Minutes later the documentary was started on a giant screen at the front of the court.

Transcripts of the programme — filmed at Jackson’s Neverland ranch — were handed out.

As the showing started, Jackson shifted forward in his seat to view the screen through his gold-rimmed glasses.

He began to rock back and forth as his song Smooth Criminal blasted round the court from the show’s soundtrack.

Jacko then tapped his fingers on his cheek — but within minutes he was in tears. The star first became distressed as the film showed the infamous footage of him dangling youngest child Blanket from a hotel bedroom window.

And when he was shown giving Blanket a bottle, Jackson dabbed his eyes with a tissue.


The singer became even more upset when the film showed him with children Prince Michael, nine, and Paris, seven, being mobbed by photographers on a zoo trip. Jackson appeared to be crying, clutching a tissue to his face.

The documentary switched to Jackson’s accuser, who was then 13.

And this is when Jackson became most upset.

The pair were shown sitting on a sofa, with Jackson holding his hand. They talked of how he and his brother, then 12, regularly stayed in Jackson’s bedroom.

But the singer maintained he slept on the floor. It was when Bashir asked “what do you a 44-year-old man . . . get out of this?” that Jackson looked most emotional.

He began to twist a handkerchief between his fingers before blowing his nose and dabbing at his eyes.

Jackson shook his head and again glared at ex-Panorama reporter Bashir, who now works for American TV giant ABC.

He admitted in the show sharing a bed with other boys — including child star Macaulay Culkin and his brother Kieran.

Lawyer Mr Mesereau yesterday revealed the star DOES plan to speak in his own defence.

The boy — who Jackson is accused of molesting when he was 13 — was earlier branded an “out of control youngster”. Mr Mesereau said he ran riot in Neverland with his brother, stealing wine.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all charges. His trial, which is expected to last six months, continues.


Witness jail threat

MARTIN Bashir could be jailed or fined for contempt after refusing to answer four questions from defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau.

The journalist’s lawyers claimed he was protecting his sources — covered by the California Shield Law — but the judge over-ruled.

The questions he snubbed were if he got Jackson to sign documents without lawyers present, how many hours of footage were cut from his documentary, whether he was being paid as a correspondent at the trial and whether he saw unedited documentary footage.