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Jury selection in Jackson trial


Jury selection began Mon., Jan. 31, in the Michael Jackson child molestation case.

Jackson, 46, was indicted in April 2004 on charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy with cancer who is now age fifteen. The boy visited Jackson’s California home, Neverland, after the boy’s parents allegedly asked Jackson to host the boy.

In the past, Jackson has opened his home to numerous children and this is not the first incident where Jackson has been accused of child molestation.

Wearing all white with an umbrella, the King of Pop faced prospective jurors after being greeted by hundreds of fans cheering in support of the star. Approximately three-hundred prospective jurors were screened on Monday and another three-hundred on Tuesday, followed by 150 more on Wednesday. The judge has hope of finding 12 jurors and eight alternates. However, legal experts say that the trial could take half a year.

Jackson, who promises that he will be acquitted, looked into cameras and said, “Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told.”

Rumors that Jackson has been suicidal were dismissed by his spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain.

While TV cameras are banned from the courtroom, the media has welcomed Judge Melville’s decision to keep the jury selection process open.

The trial is expected to be in full swing by the beginning of March.