Jackson takes to the witness box after promoter sues for no-show

RECLUSIVE pop star Michael Jackson took the witness stand in a €22m lawsuit

Jackson spoke softly while testifying yesterday, answering yes or no or asking for questions to be repeated. He paused frequently when asked about his business relationship with the plaintiff, concert promoter Marcel Avram.

The German-based promoter says he was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses after Jackson dropped out of the performances, which were to take place in 1999 in Honolulu and Sydney, Australia.

Avram’s suit claims Jackson agreed to perform at two concerts for charity and the two millennium concerts, but only did the charity shows.

The suit contends Jackson was paid a €1.55m advance and had debts totalling €1.7m covered.