Jackson evidence handled without gloves
Labels on fingerprint evidence seized from Michael Jackson’s Neverland ranch were switched and some of it was handled without gloves, it emerged today.
Forensic experts described to jurors at Santa Maria court, California, how the vast array of pornographic material taken from the pop star’s room was investigated and analysed.
One expert, Timothy Sutcliffe, acknowledged that labels on two fingerprints were switched.
He claims to have found 16 separate prints on the magazines seized from a briefcase in Jackson’s bedroom in November 2003.
As the defence team sought to undermine the legitimacy of the evidence, court exhibit supervisor, Alicia Romero, admitted that she and another employee had initially handled the material without wearing gloves.
She said she monitored everyone who viewed the evidence who all wore gloves.
The court has heard that at least one of the prints, on a magazine called Finally Legal, belonged to Jackson's accuser younger brother.
Anthony Urquiza, a psychologist specialising in child sexual abuse, has testified that pornography can be used as “grooming materials” by a paedophile trying to coax a child towards molestation.
Jackson, 46, denies abusing the 13-year-old, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.
The trial continues.
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