Michael Jackson watches pre-trial manoeuvring

Michael Jackson – dressed in white and accompanied by members of his family - returned to court to watch a showdown over key evidence with the prosecutor who has pursued the singer for years on child abuse charges.

In a tense, packed courtroom, Jackson’s lawyer Thomas Mesereau took the offensive, questioning Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon for two hours yesterday over a November 2003 search of the office of a private investigator hired by Jackson’s former attorney.

Mesereau, arguing Sneddon violated Jackson’s lawyer-client privilege by searching the investigator’s office, is seeking to have evidence gathered during that search excluded from his trial.

If successful, the move could undermine the prosecution case. It is one of the issues that must be settled before Jackson’s scheduled January 31 trial.

Sneddon refused to acknowledge he even suspected a professional relationship between former Jackson attorney Mark Geragos and the investigator, Bradley Miller – even though the prosecutor acknowledged seeing a large file of letters that carried the names of both men.

“Are you saying you didn’t know that Mr Miller was working for Mark Geragos at the time?” asked Mesereau. “I am 100 percent certain of that,” Sneddon said.

The prosecutor admitted telling defence attorneys in July he knew Miller worked for Geragos but testified he retracted the statement the next day. “It was a mistake,” he said.

Sneddon, who tried to bring charges against Jackson in 1993, said he personally took part in surveillance of Miller’s office and the search because he happened to be in Los Angeles and wanted to avoid using additional county personnel.

The singer, who wore a gold brocade armband over a white suit, sat perfectly still and stared at the prosecutor. The rest of the Jackson family, including five siblings dressed in white, also sat impassively. They left the courthouse, with a police escort, after Sneddon’s testimony.

Jackson’s fans erupted in cheers as the singer and his entourage arrived at court in a double-decker bus with tinted windows, and again when they emerged for lunch.

About 100 mostly young fans pressed against a chain-link fence and hoisted signs saying “Our Love is With You” and ”Michael Jackson is Innocent” outside the courthouse.

Dozens of police and a small group of people demonstrating in support of sexual abuse victims were also at the court.

Like other Jackson supporters, Olivia Baker, 20, said the singer had been unfairly targeted by Sneddon.

“No human being deserves that, especially since he’s given his whole heart to the world,” Baker said. “His heart is honest. I don’t believe he would ever hurt a child.”

The hearing came amid duelling public relations moves.

Jackson made a surprise visit to Los Angeles’ pre-eminent black church on Sunday, which legal experts said was an effort to boost his reputation ahead of the showdown with Sneddon.

In an added public relations flourish, Jackson decided to attend Monday’s pre-trial hearing with his parents, Katherine and Joseph Jackson, and siblings Jermaine, Janet, Randy, Jackie and LaToya.

Jackson’s appearance at First AME Church in South Los Angeles the day before his attorney was to challenge Sneddon in court also raised eyebrows.

“Jackson has never been involved with the African-American community in the past,” said Steve Cron, a defence attorney who has been following the case. “I can’t imagine why else he would suddenly get religion.”

Jackson released a statement yesterday thanking brother Randy and the Rev Cecil B Murray for inviting him to the service. “God has always been in my heart and a part of my life and my family’s lives,” he said.

Jackson, 45, is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $3m (€2.43m) bail.