SANTA MARIA, California, Jan 28 (AFP) - Michael Jackson's trial judge on Friday warned the superstar not to bring members of his famous musical family to court when he goes on trial on child molestation charges.
Judge Rodney Melville told the star's lawyers at the last pre-trial hearing ahead of the official start of his trial Monday that there was not enough space in court for the whole Jackson clan which has accompanied the singer to court in the past.
"Shall it be possible to have some (family) members (in court)?" Jackson's chief lawyer Thomas Mesereau pleaded.
"No," Melville repled curtly, explaining that the courtroom was too small to accomodate Jackson's usually-huge entourage, as weell as lawyers and members of the press and public.
But Melville said that more people would get seats if it appeared there was more space than expected in the Santa Maria courtroom after jury selection was completed towards the end of February.
Jackson's famous siblings and parents, almost all of them clad from head to toe in white as a gesture of support for the entertainer, have turned out in force twice to accompany him to court.
01/28/2005 23:30 GMT - AFP