The Hindu : International : Mother battles on in Jackson trial

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

International

International

Mother battles on in Jackson trial

Dan Glaister

LOS ANGELES: The mother of the teenage boy allegedly molested by Michael Jackson entered her fourth day on the witness stand on Monday to face further cross-examination by the singer's lead attorney, Thomas Mesereau.

As the trial entered its eighth week, the testy and sparky mood of recent days continued with Janet Arvizo clashing repeatedly with Mr. Mesereau. At one point during the first hour of testimony, she turned to the jury in response to a question and declared: ``I already told him that.''

When Mr. Mesereau asked her about a night when she danced with the 46-year-old singer at his Neverland ranch, she insisted that the dancing had been a family affair, with her three children all joining in.

``Don't take it out of context,'' she said to Mr. Mesereau. ``Don't make it all dirty.''

Following her decision last week to refuse to answer questions about allegations of welfare fraud, to avoid incriminating herself, Ms. Arvizo refused to answer a question about a lawyer who represented her during her divorce.

When Mr. Mesereau asked the woman if the lawyer represented her at the time she and her family were allegedly held captive by Mr. Jackson aides, she asked: ``Is that attorney-client privilege?''

Mr. Mesereau said he would drop the question if she was citing her privilege, and she said she was doing so.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International