Jury selection began Monday in Santa Maria, California, for the criminal trial of pop star Michael Jackson, who faces child molestation charges that could result in a 20-year prison sentence if he is convicted.
Judge Rodney Melville presided over the opening phase of the proceedings, which are expected to last six months. Jackson, wearing all white, stood quietly beside his attorneys as the process got underway. The trial is scheduled to run Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with only a brief snack break each day.
An initial group of roughly 150 candidates was brought into the courtroom to begin the selection process. The court is seeking 12 jurors and 8 alternates. Melville cautioned the panel that the lengthy trial would significantly disrupt their daily lives and that employers would not be required to provide full pay during their service.
In total, about 750 prospective jurors, drawn from a pool of 4,000, were summoned to appear between Monday and Wednesday to complete detailed questionnaires assessing their fitness to serve. Nearly all of those present indicated a willingness to participate when asked by the judge.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in January 2005, in its own words.