Posted on 03/10/2005 8:59:30 AM PST by areafiftyone
SANTA MARIA, Calif. Mar 10, 2005 — A 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 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.
"How long have you had this problem?"
"Oh about a week back."
LOL!
Wow. This judge isn't taking any crap! Maybe he isn't as dazzle by the media lights as judge ito was.
Looks like O.J. Judge Ito could learn something from this judge.
I wonder if this is going to piss off the jury and make it more likely that they will vote against him?
he looked well yesterday...
*****************
Maybe this is the reason they believed the trial to last 6 months.
This is so much fun....what a friggin' freakshow zoo are these people.
Convict this POS and be done. I cannot take anymore of these celeb trials. I'd like to see that excuse fly at some average Joe Schmuck's trial. I think during a trial all defendents should stay overnight as a guest of the People. That would streamline delays abit and prevent flight when things goes bad.
I always like the release of a convicted wealthy persons pending sentencing and then released again waiting to report for jail duty. BS. If I were ever to be convicted of something I bet your rear I am shipped that same day.
Sounds like MJ is trying to miss court like a kid would miss school. I don't feel well. Make the world stop until I'm better. Grow up MJ and face your day in court. The case against you isn't going to go away by playing sick. It will go away when you are either convicted or acquitted.
Look up Rodney S. Melville on Google. He doesn't look like the sort to be trifled with.
CNN is reporting the judge is giving Michael Jackson 1 hour and his attorney is saying Michael is in the hospital with back problems. Maybe his nose fell off again!
Jackson said he is paralized from getting dressed to go to court. Who believes this? When was the last time anybody got paralized getting dressed. This is from a guy who does 2hr concerts jumping all around.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.