BradBuxer - Forum (Jacksonville-Ersatz-Board)

Although defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. objected to the setting of the trial date, Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville said that although he understood that the date might change, he wanted to set "a bullŽs-eye that weŽre shooting at here." "Somebody has to say, ŽThis is the goal, this is where weŽre going,"Ž he said.

Mr. Mesereau stated that the prosecution had not presented the defense all the evidence. The judge turned down a request by the defense to order the prosecutors to turn over access to hundreds of items seized by prosecutors and interview transcripts with dozens of witnesses. Judge Melville said the requirements were already spelled out in state statues.

Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auckenglos stated that the prosecution had already turned over almost all of its evidence, including 2,200 pages of reports, 69 audio tapes, two video tapes and one CD-ROM of photographs. He said the rest of the evidence would be turned over in the next few days. "Next week, the pipeline will be essentially empty," although there are nine pieces of physical evidence that still need to undergo forensic testing.

Steve Cochran, one of the attorneys for Michael Jackson, complained the prosecution had not responded fast enough to the requests for evidence. Once the grand jury indictment unsealed April 30 added a conspiracy charge, more evidence became a factor. "The indictment substantially broadens the case," Cochran said, adding there could now be as many as 100 witnesses.

Judge Melville said that the defense would have an opportunity to view the items that need to undergo forensic testing in the presence of a law enforcement officer in an area where they would be given enough space to talk without being overheard by the officer. The officer would also be barred from talking to prosecutors about anything that may be overheard.

"I do not think you are taking my order for sealing as seriously as I am making it," Judge Melville said to the prosecutors in regard to a motion that was submitted on Thursday that included names of potential witnesses without requesting the document be filed under seal.

Additionally, the judge decided to not publicly release the transcript of the grand jury testimony or the full indictment. A June 25 hearing on the transcripts issue was set.

Michael Jackson attorney Robert Sanger said that the defense would like an opportunity to manage the way the indictment is released to avoid "a firestorm of press attention." He said it should be done in "a measured way" but did not specify how that might take place.

The argument on the matter of a reduction of Mr. JacksonŽs $3 million bail was heard, Mr. Mesereau spoke of his clientŽs charitable contributions, lack of criminal record and substantial non-moveable assets in Santa Barbara County. Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen stated that since Mr. Jackson is a self-declared billionaire, his bail amounted to only three one-thousandths of his assets. "Mr. Jackson is known and adored -- ŽadoredŽ is not too strong a word -- in many of the countries of Europe, the Near East and Africa," the prosecution said in a motion available on Sunday. "Several of those countries do not have extradition treaties with the United States." Judge Melville took the matter under consideration. He indicated that there may be a ruling next week.

Source: AP/MJJForum

zu lang und zu faul lol

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aight :D