The Hindu : International : New twist to Jackson trial

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

International

International

New twist to Jackson trial

SANTA MARIA (CALIFORNIA): The Michael Jackson child sex abuse trial was thrown into legal confusion on Wednesday when the accuser's mother took the stand and told the judge she would not answer questions about her financial probity. Janet Arvizo, the mother of the 13-year-old boy allegedly molested by the singer, took the Fifth Amendment under which witnesses do not have to answer questions that might incriminate them. The judge, Rodney Melville, assented, ruling that she could testify on some matters but not others. Some observers believe that the decision may make any conviction extremely vulnerable on appeal. The defence alleges that Ms. Arvizo was engaged in fraudulently obtaining welfare payments. The defence attorney, Robert Sanger, replied that Ms. Arvizo was ``the kingpin'' of the prosecution case and that discussion of her honesty goes to the heart of the case. By introducing the evidence, the defence had hoped to show she was motivated by financial greed. The judge said nothing would stop the defence introducing such evidence through other sources. Arguing that without Ms. Arvizo's testimony the defence would be deprived of its constitutional right to vigorously cross-examine a witness making allegations against a defendant, Mr. Sanger moved for a mistrial. The judge denied the motion. —

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