Michael Jackson Threatened with Arrest
Jackson late for court; judge threatens arrest warrant (CNN)
Michael Jackson was late for his trial Thursday, and the California judge trying the pop superstar’s child molestation said he would issue a bench warrant for Jackson’s arrest if he did not appear in court within an hour. The order by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville came at 8:35 a.m. (11:35 a.m. ET)
Defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. told Melville that Jackson was in Cottage Hospital with a “serious back problem” but reportedly was on his way to court. But Melville said he would issue the warrant and forfeiting Jackson’s bail, meaning Jackson will be taken back into police custody and jailed, if he did not appear in court within an hour.
Could this case get any weirder?
Update (1337): Michael Jackson Arrives Late to Court (AP)
Michael Jackson arrived late to his child molestation trial Thursday to face a judge who threatened to arrest him and revoke his $3 million bail, but the judge resumed the case apparently without taking any action against the singer.
This judge is running this case on a very fast pace (no lunch break, no sidebar). Jackson already used up his one sick card with the judge, so the judge is not likely to cut him any more slack.
Jacko showed up in his jammies and looking rather doped up.
“Could this case get any weirder?”
Actually, yes. Jackson arrived dressed in a jacket, pajama bottoms and slippers.