US: The child molestation trial of Michael Jackson was postponed for a week yesterday when the singer admitted himself to hospital with influenza. The delay, which halted jury selection for a week, came on the heels of a week-long adjournment because of a bereavement in the family of the chief defence lawyer.
Judge Rodney Melville told prospective jurors that Jackson was on his way to court when he decided to go instead to the hospital and that jury selection would resume on February 22nd.
During Monday's proceedings Jackson appeared well, smiling and waving to potential jurors and at one point picking at a fingernail and then wrapping it in a napkin.
The trial - when it gets under way - could become the biggest multi-celebrity event in US court history.
Jackson's lawyer told prospective jurors on Monday that 366 defence witnesses had been listed, including stars of stage, screen and the media such as Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Jay Leno, Stevie Wonder, Kobe Bryant, Uri Geller, Ed Bradley and Larry King.
The pop star's chief lawyer, Tom Mesereau, has included many who have spoken in support of Jackson in the past. Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, stated in 2003 shortly after Jackson's arrest, "I believe Michael is absolutely innocent."
The defence list also includes Granada journalist Martin Bashir, whose 2003 documentary showed Jackson saying defensively he liked to have young boys in his bed.
The 146-name prosecution list includes the parent who settled a child molestation case against Jackson out of court in 1993 and the singer's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe.
The witness names were disclosed so that 242 prospective jurors could state if they knew any of the personalities listed, though Judge Melville told them that there was no guarantee that any particular celebrity would be called.
The trial resumed on Monday in Santa Maria, 150 miles north of Los Angeles, after a one-week recess due to a death in Mr Mesereau's family.
Jackson is facing 10 criminal charges concerning his relations with a 13-year-old boy who was invited to his Neverland ranch in California after a bout of cancer.
Much of the week will be taken up with questioning prospective jurors for selection of a 12-member jury. The calling of celebrities is seen as a defence effort to convince jurors of Jackson's good character.
Mr Mesereau also signalled defence tactics by asking every potential juror if children could lie under the influence of parents. All agreed they could.