Judge gives Jackson jurors final instructions

Jurors in Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial were today given their final instructions which will dictate how they reach their verdict.

Judge Rodney Melville told the jury of eight women and four men that closing arguments would begin tomorrow and they would be given the case sometime on Friday.

He said they must determine the facts from the testimony, follow the law as presented by the judge, and make their decision without “pity for or prejudice” towards the defendant.

“You’ve heard all of the evidence and you will hear the arguments of attorneys,” he said.

Both sides have been given four hours each to make their closing arguments. When the defence finished on Friday, the prosecution will get the final word before jurors retire.

Judge Melville’s instructions lasted a little over an hour. He went methodically through the 10-count indictment and guidelines, which each juror was also given in writing.

The exact wording of the instructions had been thrashed out by lawyers for both sides over the last two days.

Jackson denies four counts of committing a lewd act on a child, one count of conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, one count of attempting to commit a lewd act on a child and four counts of administering alcohol for the purpose of committing child molestation.

The judge told jurors at Santa Maria court, California, they may consider a lesser charge on the alcohol counts and did not have to relate it to the act of molestation.