Jury selection got underway in Santa Maria, California on 1 February 2005 for the trial of pop star Michael Jackson, who pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of child sexual abuse and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The charges stem from allegations that he fondled a 13-year-old boy, supplied him with alcohol, and conspired to detain the boy and his family.
About 300 of the roughly 4,000 people who received summonses appeared in court Tuesday to fill out seven-page questionnaires or request exemptions. Legal observers say finalizing the 12 jurors, already nicknamed the "Jackson 12," could take several weeks as both sides sift through the responses with the help of professional jury consultants.
The composition of the panel is seen as decisive. Each side may dismiss 10 candidates without explanation. Prosecutors are expected to favor conservative, family-oriented jurors, while the defense is said to prefer younger, more liberal panelists without children.
Jackson sat quietly in court and stood when prospective jurors entered. Judge Rodney Melville issued a gag order covering both parties and warned selected jurors that the trial would disrupt their lives for months.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in February 2005, in its own words.