Michael Jackson judge promises no trial delays

Received by Newsfinder from APNov 6, 2004 4:13 Eastern Time * Editors Note PMs. * Photo Advisory . By LINDA DEUTSCHAP Special CorrespondentSANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) _ With Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial scheduled to start on Jan. 31, Jackson’s judge has scheduled an exhaustive series of hearings to resolve all pretrial motions and advised lawyers for both sides he won’t consider any delays. Defense attorney Robert Sanger said Friday he has another trial starting in January that will have to be rescheduled to accommodate Jackson’s case. He said that could make his other judge unhappy, but Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville was unmoved. “I’ve been assured by other judges of this district that they will assist me in my endeavor to get this case tried,” Melville told him. When attorneys tried to raise other objections, Melville simply told them to sit down. Jackson, who was not at Friday’s hearing, has pleaded not guilty to child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, to a boy. Also Friday, lawyers for both sides spent hours poring over file folders seized by sheriff’s deputies from the home of Jackson’s personal assistant to sort out those covered by the attorney-client privilege of confidentiality. The materials were not released in open court. The Los Angeles home of Jackson assistant Evelyn Tavasci was searched Sept. 15. Jackson’s lead defense attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., contended that attorney-client privilege was violated because deputies seized items related to the pop star’s legal representation including file folders labeled “Mesereau.” Other items taken were phone records, computer e-mails and documents showing the Jackson defense team may have orchestrated demonstrations outside the courthouse at previous hearings. Melville expressed concern about why the prosecution should have access to files regarding courthouse demonstrations. “Aren’t you only entitled to seize evidence relating to crimes?” he asked. Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen said he felt the information would be useful if the defense were to file a change of venue motion. Jackson’s lawyers have not filed such a motion or indicated they will. Zonen also said there were records showing one of Jackson’s employees, Miko Brando, son of the late actor Marlon Brando, was given $20,000 from a petty cash account to deliver to Jackson. It wasn’t disclosed what the money was for but Zonen said, “This particular person will likely end up as a witness at the trial.” Sanger responded, “There is nothing unusual about Michael Jackson having $20,000 cash delivered to him for running his daily affairs.” Sanger said much of the materials seized involved events long before Jackson was charged with child molestation and added deputies who served them exceeded their authority to take materials. He suggested authorities found things they were not looking for and seized them even though they weren’t mentioned in the warrants.