Star’s Defense Distances Itself From Minister

Jurors in the Michael Jackson child-molestation trial went home Wednesday without reaching a verdict. Later, the lead defense attorney in the case issued a terse statement distancing himself from the Rev. Jesse Jackson and others speaking on the pop star’s behalf.

Nothing was heard from the jurors during their fourth day of deliberations.

Only one jury question has been posed to Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville since the case went to the panel late Friday afternoon, and, in a departure from standard practice, the judge declined to make it public.

Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch in 2003. He is also charged with attempted molestation, giving the boy alcohol to aid in the commission of a felony and of conspiring to keep the boy and his family from leaving the ranch. If convicted on all counts, he could face more than 20 years in prison.

Defense attorney Thomas A. Mesereau Jr.’s statement came after Jesse Jackson held his third news conference this week in front of the courtroom where the pop star’s trial is taking place.

During the morning news conference, the minister and activist criticized television and newspaper reports showing the Santa Barbara County jail cell the pop star might occupy before moving to state prison if he is convicted.

The story was reported in USA Today and on MSNBC, whose consultant, former Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Thomas, took viewers on a tour of the jail.

Jesse Jackson, who has described himself as a confidant of the pop star, called the accounts “psychological warfare,” suggesting that prosecutors may have been trying to influence the jury.

Jesse Jackson also reiterated defense claims that Michael Jackson is the victim of a vendetta by Santa Barbara County Dist. Atty. Tom Sneddon.

Unlike other high-profile juries, the Jackson panel has not been sequestered during deliberations, although jurors have been warned to avoid news reports.

“Michael is very aware of the gravity of the situation and the political environment,” the minister said.

In response to a reporter’s question, Jesse Jackson said that neither he nor Michael Jackson believe that the prosecution was motivated by racial enmity.

The pop star believes the jury will take its job seriously despite its lack of African Americans, the minister said.

After the jury departed at 2:30 p.m., Mesereau, who like all the attorneys in the case is under a gag order, issued his statement: “I have not authorized anyone to speak or hold any press conferences on behalf of Michael Jackson or his family.”

Raymone Bain, a spokeswoman for Michael Jackson, later told reporters that Mesereau approves all of her media appearances.

“If Mr. Mesereau didn’t want me here, I wouldn’t be here,” she said. “I never speak to the media without talking to Tom Mesereau.”

Bain said that Michael Jackson is nervous but in good spirits as he awaits the verdict at Neverland, about 30 miles from the courthouse.

She said all eight of his siblings are at the ranch, as are his parents, Joe and Katherine.

Except for recent bouts with severe back pain, the pop star is in good health, she said.