Jacko’s ex-lawyer takes the stand after arrest threat
Mark Geragos arrived at Santa Maria court, California, as ordered but was forced to endure a lengthy wait as another witness completed his testimony.
Judge Rodney Melville had issued a stern warning, telling him he must obey a subpoena like any other witness after one of his associates asked if he could reschedule.
The judge admonished Jackson lawyer Tom Mesereau for spending so much time on the other witness, urging him to move things along.
“I have this picture of a lawyer upstairs pulling his hair out of his head wondering why I called him here today under threat of a warrant while Mr Mesereau goes on and on,” he said.
Mr Geragos finally took the stand and began describing his background.
He represented Jackson while he was under investigation in the aftermath of Martin Bashir’s documentary, but quit at the singer’s request in April 2004.
He is expected to testify about a private investigator he hired who allegedly ordered surveillance tapes of the young accuser and his family.
Jackson’s defence team hopes to bring one of his alleged co-conspirators to the stand, using an immunity grant he was given before the trial began, it emerged yesterday.
They claim prosecutors met Vincent Amen in December 2003 and granted him “use immunity” guaranteeing that his statements would not be used to prosecute him.
Amen is one of five Jackson associates alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to hold his accuser’s family captive in order to get them to do a video praising Jackson.
Jackson, 46, denies molesting his then-13-year-old accuser, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.
Another former lawyer of Jackson’s said that aides were intent on enriching themselves and exploiting the singer’s deep pockets.
David LeGrand said he “became suspicious of everybody” when he worked for the pop star from January to March 2003.
The trial continues.
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