ILLTECNIQUE
06-30-2006, 03:20 AM
*Michael Jackson’s lawyer Thomas C. Mundell asked a pool of potential jurors if they believed the singer was guilty of child molestation, even though he was acquitted of the charges in a high-profile case last June. Four people raised their hands.
And so went the jury selection phase of Jackson’s trial in Los Angeles. The King of Pop is being sued for $3.8 million by former associate F. Marc Schaffel for alleged unpaid loans and expenses, unpaid salary for a charity record and a share of proceeds from two TV programs produced to repair Jackson's image in the wake of an ABC documentary.
A jury was selected Wednesday, reports the Associated Press, but not without Jackson’s previous molestation case coming up.
"I have lots of opinions about this man," said a woman, one of the four to raise their hands. "How can you not? I read so much and I have tons of opinions."
She was asked if her opinions would affect her ability to reach a decision in the current civil case.
"It colors it," she said.
She was accepted on the jury, but a man who raised his hand was dismissed after he said he thought Jackson possibly had a "character flaw" that may relate to the case.
Another potential juror, a retired nurse, said she met Jackson in 1984 while working at the hospital where he was treated when his hair caught on fire during a Pepsi commercial shoot. As for her impressions of him, she said: "He was wonderful with the kids."
At that, the other prospective jurors fell out laughing and the woman was dismissed from the panel.
Alternate jurors were expected to be selected Thursday, followed by opening statements and witness testimony. Meanwhile, prospective jurors were told that Jackson himself will not appear in court during the trial, but will be seen on videotape giving deposition testimony.
And so went the jury selection phase of Jackson’s trial in Los Angeles. The King of Pop is being sued for $3.8 million by former associate F. Marc Schaffel for alleged unpaid loans and expenses, unpaid salary for a charity record and a share of proceeds from two TV programs produced to repair Jackson's image in the wake of an ABC documentary.
A jury was selected Wednesday, reports the Associated Press, but not without Jackson’s previous molestation case coming up.
"I have lots of opinions about this man," said a woman, one of the four to raise their hands. "How can you not? I read so much and I have tons of opinions."
She was asked if her opinions would affect her ability to reach a decision in the current civil case.
"It colors it," she said.
She was accepted on the jury, but a man who raised his hand was dismissed after he said he thought Jackson possibly had a "character flaw" that may relate to the case.
Another potential juror, a retired nurse, said she met Jackson in 1984 while working at the hospital where he was treated when his hair caught on fire during a Pepsi commercial shoot. As for her impressions of him, she said: "He was wonderful with the kids."
At that, the other prospective jurors fell out laughing and the woman was dismissed from the panel.
Alternate jurors were expected to be selected Thursday, followed by opening statements and witness testimony. Meanwhile, prospective jurors were told that Jackson himself will not appear in court during the trial, but will be seen on videotape giving deposition testimony.