I wonder if he's pulling a Slobodan Milosevic...too sick to receive punishment and whatnot.

Update

Jurors were set to resume deliberations for a second day on Tuesday in Michael Jackson's sex-abuse trial with a growing throng of fans and reporters keeping watch outside court.

The jury of eight women and four men has spent about eight hours behind closed doors without reaching a verdict since getting the case on Friday. They sent a single note to Judge Rodney Melville on Monday but its contents were sealed.

Jackson has not been seen in public since Sunday, when he spent five hours at a hospital near his Neverland ranch for what spokeswoman Raymone Bain said was a back problem that has plagued him since the trial began in February.

Bain has described Jackson, 46, as "pulling his hair out" while waiting for a verdict that could clear him of charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy or send him to prison for more than two decades.

Outside the courthouse in Santa Maria, about 20 minutes from Neverland, hundreds of reporters and camera crews waited for word from the jury, alongside dozens of Jackson fans.

Relations between reporters and fans -- who believe Jackson has been treated unfairly by the press -- have been testy at times during the four-month trial and on Monday a surprise visit by the singer's father nearly turned into a brawl.

COPTER DROWNS OUT JESSE JACKSON

Camera crews surrounded Joseph Jackson after he arrived unannounced, demanding to see his son. As deputies tried to explain that the entertainer was not there, the crowd became unruly. Deputies then ushered Joseph Jackson inside the courthouse and Bain later explained that there had been a miscommunication in the Jackson camp.

Also on Monday the Rev. Jesse Jackson, who has been counseling Michael Jackson during the trial, turned up at court to proclaim his support -- only to have the entire press conference drowned out by the sound of a news helicopter hovering overhead. The civil rights activist returned about 30 minutes later to repeat his remarks.

Legal experts say the judge and attorneys for both sides must hope that jurors -- who are driven to court each day in vans, with a police escort, and deliberate in private -- remain oblivious to news coverage and the commotion outside.

Though in some sensational California trials -- notably the so-called "Trial of the Century" of former football star O.J. Simpson on murder charges -- the jury has been sequestered, a former local prosecutor said that move was extremely rare in Santa Barbara County.

"Judge Melville wants to treat this like any other case with charges of this magnitude and typically we do not sequester in child molestation cases," former Santa Barbara County prosecutor Craig Smith said. "In the 29 years that I've been around this county I can only think of two other cases where they sequestered the jury and they were both murders."

The jurors must consider the testimony of 140 witnesses and sift through about 600 items of evidence in reaching a verdict on the 10 counts against Jackson.

Jackson, who has pleaded innocent, is charged with molesting a then-13-year-old at Neverland in February or March of 2003, giving the boy alcohol in order to abuse him and conspiring to commit child abduction, extortion and false imprisonment.

I heard yesterday that one woman juror is already making a book deal. :rolleyes: Evidently, according to the news, her grandmother made the suggestion after she was selected, and before the case began. I smell a "mistrial" if this is true, and Jackson is found guilty. Although, if they want to dismiss her for this reason, they can still do so, and use an alternate.


TIS

I think maybe DeNiro and I are the only ones halfway following this trial, but for whoever cares, a little more info.

Of course we know the press is itching for any kind of info and remain in Santa Maria anxiously awaiting any news. Seems some Jackson supporters are getting hostile to some press members. Evidently, one of the lead supporter/fan, who ironically is named BJ had a restraining order issued against him by reporter Diane Diamond, for evidently getting abusive toward her.

I've been hearing via these reporters that from more than a few "reliable" sources, that the jury requested a readback of the testimony of the young accuser. This has everyone wondering if by that request, they may convict. Most lawyers have agreed that "usually" a short deliberation will indicate a not guilty and long deliberation a guilty. However, they all agree, that in a child abuse case, and with all the evidence the jury has to consider, that it's just hard to tell.

TIS

If they take too long with this, Michael Jackson might just pull a Roman Polanski. That or kill himself. If he does go to jail, what's he going to do about the clown makeup he keeps on putting on his face. And what about his half of the Beatles catalog. There's too much to think about so I'll just drop out.

Update

If the child molestation case against Michael Jackson ends with a prison sentence, the pop star's likely new home would be almost as exclusive as his Neverland ranch.

It's far from glamorous, but the protective housing unit within Corcoran State Prison is considered a highly desirable refuge for inmates who need extraordinary protection from other prisoners.

It's also home to a handful of California's most notorious criminals.

Occupants of its 2.5-by-3.5-metre cells include mass murderer Charles Manson and Juan Corona, who killed 25 migrant farmworkers in the 1970s. The unit housed Sirhan Sirhan, who assassinated Robert Kennedy in 1968, until he was moved to a harsher lockdown in 2003.

Because the unit is so secure, it's considered a virtual oasis in the 163,000-inmate state prison system. Some people who have been there describe it as strikingly calm.

"It's been real nice for me," one unidentified inmate says in a three-minute Corrections Department video released last year. "It's a peaceful environment. It's almost like being free on the street."

Only one violent incident has been reported, and the house rules allow more freedom than at most prisons.

"They know they're in a safe place and they don't want to ruin that," said Corrections Department spokeswoman Terry Thornton. "It's an exceptional placement."

It has a capacity of 47, but just 21 inmates live in the unit, located about 160 kilometres northeast of the gated estate where prosecutors charge Jackson molested a 13-year-old boy.

Jurors resume deliberations in Jackson's case Monday.

If he is convicted, Jackson could go to prison for many years and would be evaluated to see if Corcoran's protective housing unit were appropriate, Thornton said.

"Just like people are fascinated with famous people, inmates are people, too," Thornton said. "They would consider it a feather in their cap to hurt" a famous inmate.

Inmates must meet certain criteria, including "specific, verified enemies," "notoriety likely to result in great bodily harm," and no prison gang affiliation.

Officials are refusing all requests for reporters to visit the unit, but Thornton described it in detail.

Each cell has a concrete bed, sink, desk and toilet.

Televisions and radios are allowed, if the inmate can afford them. Night lights also are allowed.

Inmates wear denim jeans, blue shirts and brown boots, and are issued white T-shirts, white boxer shorts and a denim jacket.

Staff members, not inmates, prepare and serve food.

Inmates can use the day room to read, play chess or watch television. The exercise yard is available for about 5 1/2 hours a day. There's a basketball court and a bar for chin-ups, but no free weights.

Residents can shower daily. They have access to a law library and may receive weekend visitors for as long as five hours a day. They share one telephone and make calls during certain hours.

They said the judge is allowing a "live feed" in the courtroom when the verdict is announced, so if we're by a tv, we'll be able to see it as it happens. They are preparing for extra police in the area in case of any problems with the protestors outside. As I mentioned some of the press is getting harrassed by them.


TIS

I don't know if this was posted or not but, I heard that they have a ambulance on standby depending on what the verdict is.

I wouldn't doubt it Mig! I've never been to Santa Maria, but hear that it's a very quiet town that isn't use to all this activity. I'm sure they'll be glad when this is over.


TIS

VERDICT REACHED! M.J. has one hour to appear starting now!

Man, what a madhouse. First they say a verdict's been reached and within seconds say it hasn't, now they say it has been reached.

:p

TIS

I'm gonna be waiting on FoxNews to see this verdict. You know, I pray to God that if he really is guilty, he does the time. If he really is innocent, that he is acquitted. His fate is in the hands of God and those jurors.

They just said that it's an unanamous verdict on "all" counts. Many thought there'd be a hung jury on at least one of the counts.


TIS

Unanimous on all counts doesnt mean much. They could be acquitinig on some and finding him guilty on others...stay tuned!!

I predict he walks on all counts. Although I feel he is probably guilty on most counts, 'probably' isn't enough to find him guilty.

I agree 100%. And I'm a fan of his music.

I'm guessing "guilty", at least on most of the charges.

But, of course, I like to be contrary.

I'm glad this "trail" is finally over, though.

--------------------
Happy trails to you
Until we meet again
Happy trails to you
Keep smiling until then

I hope he's guilty, but if OJ and Robert Blake can get acquitted with piles of evidence proving their guilt, then MJ has a good chance of walking since the prosecution's case was weaker than Blake & OJ's.

Well, one of the counts (forgot the exact charge), conspiring to hold the family hostage, I don't think was proven. I have always said he'll get "not guilty" on the major charges of chiled molestation &lewd conduct with a minor, but perhaps he'll get charged on the lesser charge of giving alcohol to a minor, in which case, won't be jail time.

What does make me wonder though, is the fact that the jury requested the boy's testimony be read back. Now that could go either way, and who knows exactly what they were looking for, but part of me feels it leans toward a conviction.

TIS

Funny that you should say this TIS, they just posted all of the charges up on the TV screen, and I just said the EXACT same thing as you did, to my wife. ( you see, we do agree on a lot of things ).


Don Cardi

I think he's guilty on all charges, and I will be outraged if he walks out of that court room a free man. Also, considering that he left Neverland Ranch a half hour before the verdict is scheduled to be read, its safe to assume that he's worried about the verdict.

I'm going to watch the live feed that decides if he's guilty or not within the next hour.

You will be outraged, after seeing the evidence and hearing the testimony for yourself? :p It's safe to assume he's worried because he left late? Of course he's worried - wouldn't you be if you were guilty -- or innocent??

While I may not have 100% faith in our justice system (for obvious reasons), I don't like to let my personal feelings toward someone cloud my thoughts. So hence, I won't be "outraged" either way. The way our system is set up, he's either found guilty or innocent, regardless of whether he is or not.

Wow, this is taking a while, huh?

CourtTV is supposed to have a live audio feed or the reading of the verdicts -- are all networks going to have that? Cuz this CourtTV woman is driving me crazy!

It's coming in now...sounds like he's being found 'Not Guilty' on many of the counts.

Apple

Here we go....!

Count 1 - Not Guilty to consiparcy
Counts 2-6 - Not Guilty lewd act
Counts 7-10 - Not Guilty providing alcohol to minor to commit a felony

WOAH!!

Not guilty! *sigh*

He got off....... again!

five ten years from now hes gunna be back in court for this again

The kid's family was out for money......I think everyone was able to see that. The mother couldn't keep the story straight and was out there for $$$$.

What "Parent" I use that term loosely allows their child to spend time at this guys house?

The person who is lost in this whole case is the child, let's hope that kid can live a good life.