michael jackson accused of running, judge issues arrest warrant

[Drudge]

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) - An angry judge issued an arrest warrant for Michael Jackson on Thursday after he failed to show up for his child molestation trial on time and his attorney announced the singer was being treated for a serious back problem.

Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville said he would also forfeit Jackson's $3 million bail unless he appeared in court within one hour.

The announcement came after a few minutes after court was to have begun. Jackson's accuser was expected to begin a second day of testimony against the singer.

The jury was not yet in the courtroom when the judge entered.


Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr., said, ``Mr. Jackson is at Cottage Hospital in Santa Ynez with a serious back problem. He does plan to come in.''


The judge, obviously angry, declared, ``I'm issuing a warrant for his arrest. I'm forfeiting his bail. I will hold the order for one hour.''


Mesereau, whose request that the judge talk to Jackson's doctor on the phone was turned down, said a short time later that Jackson was on his way.


Hospital spokeswoman Janet O'Neill said Jackson left Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital at 8:45 a.m. It is about a 35-mile drive from the hospital to the court. O'Neill had no comment on Jackson's condition.


Mesereau had been observed talking urgently on his cell phone for about a half-hour before the session was to begin.


Jackson has had health problems that previously interrupted the proceedings. During the first week of jury selection he went to a hospital with flu symptoms. But he has been on time or early since then.


At the time of the bout with the flu, Melville told prospective jurors the delay was not part of a calculated attempt by anyone to slow down the trial.


``Mr. Jackson really was sick. He really did have the flu,'' the judge said at the time. ``I talked to his doctor. ... I wouldn't let anyone take advantage of us that way.''


On Wednesday, Jackson's young accuser faced the singer for the first time since leaving the singer's Neverland Ranch in March 2003, and described viewing sexually explicit images with the singer in his bedroom.

[Drudge]

haha!! Damn Michael shows up in pajamas. Furthermore, Bet Michaels bail is not revoked and he doesn't spend one hour in jail.

[KURUPTION-81]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

[_That_Cracka_J]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

I say he's FAKING it.....and even if by some chance he is not , all he had to do was inform his lawyer so he could inform the judge prior to the court appearance.  He made no effort to.  That judge is punctual and he isn't taking any shit.

[Ðøšïå]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

I say he's FAKING it.....and even if by some chance he is not , all he had to do was inform his lawyer so he could inform the judge prior to the court appearance.  He made no effort to.  That judge is punctual and he isn't taking any shit.

agreed. why shoud mike get special treatment?

[B-Blaze]

^ Cuz he's a rich as FUCK SUPERSTAR thas why...or didn't u know that celebs ALWAYS get special treatment?

[Ðøšïå]

^ Cuz he's a rich as FUCK SUPERSTAR thas why...or didn't u know that celebs ALWAYS get special treatment?

again. why should he get special treatment?

[Sikotic™]

MJ needs to act right. He's gonna screw himself over.

[eS El Duque]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

dude, thats just how he LOOKS like

[_That_Cracka_J]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

dude, thats just how he LOOKS like

 

[Darksider]

The judge seems to be really harsh, its clear that MJ was ill, u could see that when he arrived.

dude, thats just how he LOOKS like

yep

[Sikotic™]

Anybody else walks into a courthouse dressed liek that will probably get booted.

[Denial! Is Actively Joinin The Revolution]

nice trousers   

['EclipZe]

lol if he didnt fuckd himself up he might look normal

[doubletrouble™]

I say he's FAKING it.....and even if by some chance he is not , all he had to do was inform his lawyer so he could inform the judge prior to the court appearance.  He made no effort to.  That judge is punctual and he isn't taking any shit.

they said someone did inform tha judge that he will be late.......