Jackson evidence to be heard publicly

The judge in the Michael Jackson child-sex case has ruled that arguments over whether the jury could hear evidence of prior sexual offences by the singer would be held in open court.

The ruling by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville was a victory for the media and the prosecution, which opposed a defence request to take up the matter behind closed doors.

“I was very pleased that the judge recognised the California Supreme Court ruling that hearings such as admission of evidence be held in open court,” media lawyer Theodore Boutrous said.

The judge said he would schedule the arguments after the jury was selected.

Jackson was not present at yesterday’s hearing. The 46-year-old pop star is accused of plying a boy with alcohol and molesting him. Jury selection begins on January 31.

Jackson’s lawyers had argued that holding a open hearing on the alleged prior offences would influence prospective jurors.

The judge has also ordered British TV correspondent Martin Bashir to come to California to testify in the trial on March 1. Bashir produced the 2003 TV documentary in which Jackson said that he let children sleep in his bed, but that it was not sexual.

Bashir is now a correspondent for ABC News, which said yesterday it will fight the subpoena.

“We feel strongly that the California shield law protects the rights of journalists who cannot be – or be perceived to be – arms of either the prosecution or defence as they pursue the news,” ABC News vice president Jeffrey Schneider said.