Court prepares for Michael Jackson siege
The court house in the small Californian town of Santa Maria today had the look of a fortress ready for a siege, with chain link fences and metal barricades to hold back an expected invasion of Michael Jackson fans.
Police Chief Danny Macagni said 42 of his 107 officers would be at the court, along with about 50 sheriff’s deputies.
More than 1,000 fans and at least 130 members of the media were expected for the singer’s arraignment on child molestation charges
Dozens of fans gathered overnight outside Jackson’s Neverland Ranch about 30 miles from the court for a candlelight vigil.
Some wore black Free Michael T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.
Paul Thomas, a 25-year-old London design and technology student said he planned to be at the court by 7am.
“I didn’t come here to gawk at him. I just want to support him,” he said.
“I think he is a good role model. He has a lot of morals. You can see he’s a nice person, always giving to charity.”
Thomas said he told his college he was sick for the week and estimated that he spent about £400 (€592) on the trip.
A web site for Jackson fans encouraged them to show up and demonstrate support for their idol.
Chartered buses were available from Los Angeles, and a hotel in nearby Solvang was gave fans a special rate.
When Jackson appeared in court in January, 3,000 fans clogged the streets and cheered him on as he hopped on top of a van and entertained them with a dance.
With a new team of lawyers in place, Jackson appears to be continuing to rejuggle his inner circle to prepare for the ordeal ahead.
Sources say he has minimised the involvement of the Nation of Islam and is relying more heavily on his brother Randy for advice.
Word came yesterday that Jackson had fired a security service he hired to replace the Nation of Islam guards, and it was unclear who would be guarding him from now on.
Thomas Mesereau, a veteran defence lawyer, took over the case last weekend after Jackson decided to remove Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman, the two high-profile lawyers who had been directing his defence. The star said he wanted lawyers who could devote full time to his case.
Experts said it was likely that Jackson’s new lawyer advised him such raucous displays are not in his best interest.
“The indictment means things are getting serious,” said Loyola University Professor Laurie Levenson. She said Jackson’s behaviour at the arraignment sets the tone for the rest of the case.
“The question is which Michael Jackson are we going to get – the one who says he is serious about saving his life or the one who dances on cars.”
The indictment returned last week was so secret that the court schedule doesn’t even list an arraignment.
Jackson had already been charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child under the age of 14 and giving an intoxicant, reportedly wine, to a youth under 14.
