Lawyers acting in US entertainer Michael Jackson's child molestation case have made headway in selecting a jury, dismissing a self-styled "karaoke junkie" and two women with ties to law enforcement.
Both sides are allowed to reject 10 jurors each without explanation. Yesterday, the defence cut six and the prosecution five. Along with three jurors who were removed by mutual agreement and six jurors the judge dismissed at their requests, 20 prospective panelists were gone by the end of the day.
The dismissal of another prospect last month for health reasons brings the size of the remaining jury pool to 221 people. If attorneys maintain their current pace, a jury could be seated within days.
The five jurors rejected by prosecutors included a man who said during questioning that he was a "karaoke junkie" and Jackson fan and a woman who once did a cheerleading routine to one of Jackson's songs.
Among the jurors dismissed by the defense were a man who has several sheriff's deputies as friends, and two mothers of young children. One has a friend in law enforcement and another's mother works for the Santa Barbara County district attorney's office.
So far, selection has moved intermittently, despite the judge's efforts to set a fast pace by limiting questioning of jurors by attorneys to 10 minutes.
Jury selection was delayed twice - first by the death of lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr.'s sister two weeks ago and then Jackson's highly publicized trip to the hospital last week with "flu-like" symptoms.
Judge Rodney S. Melville welcomed jurors back yesterday by assuring them the delays were real, and were not delaying tactics by the defense.
"Mr. Jackson really was sick. He really did have the flu. I talked to his doctor," Melville said. "I wouldn't let anyone take advantage of us that way."
Attorneys are trying to select 12 jurors and eight alternates.
The 46-year-old singer is accused of molesting a 13-year-old former cancer patient, plying him with alcohol, and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.
AP