Pyjama party: Jackson and entourage arrive late for trial after arrest threat from judge

MICHAEL JACKSON had a narrow escape yesterday when he arrived late, and in his pyjamas, to his child molestation trial to face a judge who threatened to arrest him and revoke his $3 million bail.

But Judge Rodney Melville resumed the case in Santa Maria, California, apparently without taking any action against the singer.

Judge Melville had issued an arrest warrant when Jackson failed to arrive on time, but told defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau he would hold it for one hour.

Mr Mesereau, who told the judge Jackson had suffered a severe back problem and was being treated at a hospital, paced outside court and talked on his mobile phone until the singer arrived, a few minutes past the deadline. Jackson walked in gingerly, dressed in a jacket over pyjamas.

Lawyers held talks with the judge in chambers before court resumed and Judge Melville addressed the jury. “Mr Jackson had a medical problem and it was necessary for me to order his appearance,” he said.

He said he didn’t want jurors to draw negative inferences because Jackson did not appear or that the judge had to order him to appear.

“The trial is going to go forward. In doing that I’m not expressing any opinion about the case or Mr Jackson or the district attorney.”

Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain said outside court Jackson woke at around 4.30am local time (12.30 Irish time) as he always did on court dates between 5.15am and 5.30am.

“His back gave out on him,” she said. He was rushed to an emergency room, arriving at 5.45, she said. He notified his lawyer, Bain and others around 5.15am. She said Jackson had wanted to be in court to hear the testimony from his accuser, Gavin Arvizo.

“I talked to Mr Jackson about four or five times yesterday. He was not intimated at all. He is wanting to be in court every day. This is about his life. This is not a joke to him. He knows the seriousness of this. He’s not play-acting,” she said.