Jackson polite as jury selection begins

Smaller group of fans greets singer on Tuesday

 

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Michael Jackson returned to court Tuesday for a second day of jury selection in his child molestation trial and was greeted by a small group of fans.

 

Jackson, wearing a black suit with a gold and red stripe down the pants and an insignia on the left side of the jacket, made his way into the courtroom where a judge was to continue questioning prospects about their willingness to serve on the jury.

 

He had been cheered by hundreds of fans on Monday, but by Tuesday the group had diminished to fewer than 100 people.

 

Jackson stood and smiled Monday as he faced the first prospective jurors in his criminal trial ?? a group roughly split between those willing to decide his fate and those hoping to avoid a role in the latest trial of the century.

 

The singer, his lawyers, and prosecutors remained silent as Judge Rodney S. Melville questioned the prospects about their willingness to serve.

 

By the end of the day Monday, Melville had listened to 138 people asking to be excused, but the only person he dismissed immediately was a woman who was eight months pregnant.

 

?That's OK, first one that got deferred,"? the judge said to applause.

 

Another 300 prospects were to be processed Tuesday, followed by 150 on Wednesday. Those not immediately excused were to fill out questionnaires to be studied by attorneys before individual questioning later. Besides 12 jurors, Melville wants eight alternates.

 

Outside, hundreds of fans shouted their support Monday, some dressed like the superstar. There also was a contingent of people who came to support the alleged victim.

 

Security fences kept order, unlike a year ago at Jackson's arraignment when 1,500 or more watched the pop star dance on an SUV and surged after his vehicle as he motored away.

 

Holding signs that read, ?Dear God, Please Give Michael Justice"? and ?Smooth But Not a Smooth Criminal,"? fans on Monday sang along with a Jackson song that derides the prosecutor in the case as a ?cold man."?

 

The target of their ire, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon, did not come to court. A deputy represented the prosecution.

 

Six-month commitment

 

Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting a teenage boy and plying him with alcohol at his Neverland Ranch. He also is accused of conspiring to hold the boy and his family captive. Early Sunday, Jackson issued a court-approved video statement on his Web site, proclaiming his innocence and predicting he would be acquitted.

 

Melville told both groups of prospective jurors that they might have to serve for about six months, and that it was an important duty.

 

?Most of us have relatives who have fought and died to protect this system,"? Melville said. ?Freedom is not free. Jury duty is part of the cost of freedom."?

 

The jury pool was predominantly white. About a quarter appeared to be Hispanic, and only a few were black.

 

One of the men in the pool told the judge he was unemployed and ?six months will affect my future. I think I should worry about myself and not the defendant."?

 

Another man who had been convicted of an undisclosed crime said he was on an electronic monitor and confined to his home. Melville ordered the man to remain in the jury pool and said he would inform those monitoring him.

 

Many of the prospective panelists reflected the small-town feel of northern Santa Barbara County, a Central California region known for wine, agriculture, and Jackson's Neverland Ranch. One woman said she could get a medical excuse from her doctor across the street. A few said they have friends who worked at Neverland.

 

One woman said that at 75, she was ?just too old."?

 

?You don't look a day over 60,"? the judge replied.

 

The woman said she was willing to serve if she had to, but noted she had ?a multitude of illnesses."?

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6895216/

Oh my gosh..I don't see why they need to point out that there were only a few hundred fans left. A lot of them had to leave by the next day. Those were going from ******** said so. But whatever8) I saw what MJ was wearing and it was cool. I really am praying for the right jury on this one. I hope that they truly focus in on what's going on with this case.

me too faithhopecharity, im praying to God that the jury will not be blinded, and that they will approach the case with a totally open mind.

Yes, we are all hoping the jury be neutral. Let's all pray.

Im sure the court would not appoint a biased jury - it would just not be fair

Im sure the court would not appoint a biased jury - it would just not be fair

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yes, i have faith that it will not happen...the only thing that is worriesome to me is that so many people are biased against Michael because of the tabloids... but nonetheless, im really optimistic, and i just can't wait til this ordeal is over and Michael can get goin again.

Im sure the court would not appoint a biased jury - it would just not be fair

 

In a perfect world, unfortunately.

could you imagine being part of the potential jurers? I'd just sit there and smile at Michael like a foo.

Hope Melville and his nasty gang do the right thang

This seems like a fair report......

could you imagine being part of the potential jurers? I'd just sit there and smile at Michael like a foo.

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LOL!! I would, too. I'd be too busy staring at Michael and just basking in his beauty than listening to what is going on.

yeh i just pray he gets the fair trial he deserves

i hope he gets a fair jury, but because of all the tabloids lots of people would have made up their mind already i can only hope they have an open mind about this!!