ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR JACKSON
March 10, 2005


The judge in MICHAEL JACKSON's child molestation trial issued a warrant for the singer's arrest on Thursday, after the star failed to show up for court proceedings on time. According to his attorney, Jackson was having serious back problems and was being checked by a doctor at a nearby hospital. His counsel expected him to arrive at the Santa Maria courthouse shortly. However, if the singer does not show up within an hour of the time he was scheduled to appear, the arrest warrant will officially go into effect and the judge can rescind his $3 million bail. Today is scheduled to be the second day of testimony for the singer's accuser. Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

He's reportedly on his way now but he's still a little ways from court. His attorney is staring at his watch and looking nervous.

I hope they lock him up and throw away the key... this is beyond ridiclous. If he had back problems, he should have let the court know ahead of time. :rolleyes:

I'm watching this on FOX. What a riot. Nice hospital pants Michael. :lol:

He's reportedly on his way now but he's still a little ways from court. His attorney is staring at his watch and looking nervous.

I hope they lock him up and throw away the key... this is beyond ridiclous. If he had back problems, he should have let the court know ahead of time. :rolleyes:

I agree. Like when he didn't show up because he had the "flu."

I would give Michael and academy award for that act. Plus did you see Jake Byrd from the Jimmy Kimmel Show jumping up and down in the back, they must be taping a skit for the show tonight.

By Dan Whitcomb

SANTA MARIA, Calif. (Reuters) - The judge in Michael Jackson's child molestation case issued a warrant for the entertainer's arrest after Jackson failed to show up for his trial on Thursday, the day his young accuser was set to continue his testimony.

Jackson's attorney explained that the 46-year-old entertainer was in the hospital with a back problem. The judge rejected that explanation, ordering that Jackson's bail be revoked and the entertainer jailed if he did not appear within an hour.

Jackson's 15-year-old accuser was to have begun his second day on the witness stand on Thursday morning.

Jackson is accused of sexually molesting the boy, a cancer survivor, and plying him with alcohol at the entertainer's Neverland Valley Ranch in 2003.

The pop star, who has pleaded innocent, is also charged with conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He could face more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 criminal counts.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville said he would stay Jackson's arrest warrant for one hour to give him time to show up in court.

Melville, who began the court session promptly at 8:30 a.m., noticed immediately that Jackson was not seated at the defense table. At the time, Jackson's lawyer, Tom Mesereau, was talking on his cell phone.

"I notice the defendant is not here," Melville said.

Mesereau answered that Jackson had been taken to a hospital with "a serious back problem," adding, "It's my understanding that he's on his way in."

But Melville rejected that explanation.

"I'm issuing a warrant for his arrest and forfeiting his bail," Melville said, speaking over a bid by Mesereau to speak on Jackson's behalf. "I'll hold the warrant for one hour to give him time to be in court. After that, I'll issue the warrant."

The judge then announced that the court was in recess and walked off the bench.



© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.

He just showed up in pajamas he's crazy!

Wacko Jacko is right. God he annoys me.

I guess the judge gave him a 15 minute extension.

MJ doesn't take any of this seriously, he should be like OJ and stay in jail for the rest of the trial. This is the second time he's found a reason not to show up

Nice hospital pants Michael. :lol:
:lol:
I noticed that he swiveled around to wave to his fans. That would be difficult to do if you had back pain unless it was psychosomatic.

MJ doesn't take any of this seriously, he should be like OJ and stay in jail for the rest of the trial. This is the second time he's found a reason not to show up

Good idea

I noticed that he swiveled around to wave to his fans. That would be difficult to do if you had back pain unless it was psychosomatic.
If he breaks into that moonwalk dance, then we'll really know he's faking it. :lol:

If he breaks into that moonwalk dance, then we'll really know he's faking it. :lol:

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

If he breaks into that moonwalk dance, then we'll really know he's faking it. :lol:
If he keeps it up, he may be dancing all the way to jail!

God, he is such a faker!
I love listening to some of the reporters making excuses for him "...he came into the courthouse looking pale..." WTF?!!! He always looks pale!
"...he definitely looked like he was in distress." OF COURSE he's distressed! He has to face one of the kids he molested(ok, allegedly) again today.

I thought it kinda looked like he was hopped up on pain pills or something. He looked pretty spaced out. They should have recinded his bail and arrested him for contempt.

Disrupting the dignity of the court with those jam-jams, Michael. ohno:

Awwww poor Michael.

He better not get away with it this time. I'm glad to see the judge is taking this seriously though.

Jay Leno's opener tonight was hilarious. He pulled up in a limo and got out wearing superhero pajamas, sunglasses...guys in dark suits, one carrying an umbrella. It was hilarious. :lol:

I really hope he's locked up for the rest of his life

Jay Leno's opener tonight was hilarious. He pulled up in a limo and got out wearing superhero pajamas, sunglasses...guys in dark suits, one carrying an umbrella. It was hilarious. :lol:
:rofl:

He's reportedly on his way now but he's still a little ways from court. His attorney is staring at his watch and looking nervous.

I hope they lock him up and throw away the key... this is beyond ridiclous. If he had back problems, he should have let the court know ahead of time. :rolleyes:

It seems like he invents these illnesses and pains.

It seems like he invents these illnesses and pains.
I think he invents the pains and illnesses because he's guilty, and doesn't want to face the kid he molested.

I think he invents the pains and illnesses because he's guilty, and doesn't want to face the kid he molested.
I agree.

You're right Desperate_Fan, there is always something wrong with him when hes going to trial.