Veil of secrecy thrown over Jacko hearing
On the eve of grand jury hearings in the Michael Jackson molestation case, a judge barred pictures or communication with any prospective or final panellists, or grand jury witnesses.
Superior Court Judge Clifford Anderson did not mention Jackson’s name in his order in Los Angeles last night, but acknowledged a grand jury summoned this week “has created significant media and public interest”.
The order threatens to hold in contempt anyone who communicates with a juror, prospective grand juror or witness – or reveals secret testimony.
It also prohibits photography of jurors or prospective jurors entering and leaving the courthouse.
Media lawyers immediately protested, calling the order “overbroad and unconstitutional prohibition of activity protected under the First Amendment and California law.”
They said the courthouse and its environs had long been recognised as a public forum.
“I’ve not seen an order so broad and so sweeping,” said Theodore Boutrous, who represents several media organisations.
About 100 prospective jurors have been summoned. Today, selection is set to begin for a panel of 19 to hear cases, including that of the pop star.
Jackson has pleaded innocent to seven counts of committing lewd or lascivious acts upon a child under age 14, and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to the child.
In the Jackson case, the grand jury hearings are being held four months after District Attorney Tom Sneddon filed charges – rather than as a prelude to the filing.
Normally, the filing of charges would lead to a public preliminary hearing. With a grand jury, all testimony is given behind closed doors, defence attorneys do not get to cross-examine witnesses and the public and press are absent.
Separately yesterday, a judge tossed out several claims in Jackson’s lawsuit alleging Universal Music Group owes him royalties.
In his 2003 lawsuit, Jackson said the company violated a 1980 agreement to pay him royalties for recordings he made from 1976 to 1980 with Motown Records, which UMG has acquired.
Judge Emilie Elias threw out Jackson’s allegation that UMG violated a law on fraudulent business practices, but allowed claims about breach of contract and accounting practices to proceed, Jackson lawyer Brian Wolf said.
