Jurors in the Michael Jackson trial has heard evidence from the organiser of a comedy camp for underprivileged youth who introduced the superstar's accuser, Gavin Arviso, to celebrities while the boy was being treated for cancer.
Jackson appeared upbeat as he arrived at court in Santa Maria, California, waving to screaming fans and raising a fist before the trial reconvened with a series of witnesses.
Jamie Masada, owner of the Laugh Factory in Hollywood, testified about his early experiences with Gavin Arviso, who attended the camp with his brother and sister in 1999 and worked on a stand-up act.
Prosecutors say the boy met Jackson through Mr Masada when the club owner promised to introduce him to celebrities as he struggled through chemotherapy.
Mr Masada said he brought comedians to the hospital to raise Gavin's spirits and gave him gifts to encourage him. "I would say if you eat I'll give you 50 bucks. I would give him every week, maybe some money," he said.
Jackson (46), is on trial accused of molesting the former cancer patient - then 13 - at his Neverland ranch in 2003.
The latest evidence came a day after Judge Rodney S. Melville delivered a major setback to Jackson's defence, ruling that prosecutors can introduce evidence the pop star molested or had designs on five boys, including actor Macaulay Culkin and two youngsters who reached multi-million-dollar settlements with the singer.
Prosecutors say the evidence will show Jackson's behaviour with his current accuser follows a pattern of abuse that included molesting one boy in 1990 and another in 1993. Both received settlements in 1994.
District Attorney Tom Sneddon said Jackson's past inappropriate activities with boys included kissing, hugging and inserting his hands into their pants. He also said there was a pattern of "grooming," or preparing the boys for molestation, but did not elaborate.
The incidents allegedly occurred 12 to 15 years ago, and the prosecutor acknowledged that only one of the five boys has agreed to testify at Jackson's trial. The boy received $2.4 million (€1.85 million) from Jackson in a settlement after he alleged he was molested in 1990.
Other witnesses were expected to include the 1990 accuser's mother and the mother of a boy who received a multi-million-dollar settlement after alleging he was molested in 1993.
Defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr asked Judge Melville to exclude the allegations, saying many came from third parties who were after Jackson's money. Mr Mesereau also noted Culkin, a frequent visitor to Jackson's Neverland Ranch, "has repeatedly said he was never molested".
AP