Jackson's lawyer assures court he has not violated gag order

A controversy over the gag order in the Michael Jackson case arose when the singer’s lawyer issued a statement saying he had not authorised anyone to hold news conferences on the pop star's behalf.

The court-approved statement from attorney Thomas Mesereau yesterday in Santa Maria, California, came as the jurors in Jackson’s molestation trial wrapped up their third full day of deliberations. Mesereau’s statement appeared aimed at assuring the court that his defence team had not violated a gag order imposed by the judge.