Michael Jackson returned to his child molestation trial today after suffering a "flu-like illness," and the judge apologized to would-be jurors, assuring them the pop star had been genuinely sick.
Jackson (46) briefly waved and flashed a "V" for victory sign at fans before entering the Santa Maria, California courthouse after a week-long suspension in the jury selection procedure because of his unexpected illness.
Jackson spent two days last week being treated at a local hospital for what doctors described as a "a flu-like illness with some vomiting."
More than 100 jury candidates were sent home for a week, only a few days after another one week delay due to the death of the sister of Jackson's lead attorney, Mr Tom Mesereau.
"We've had a couple of false starts," Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville told the prospective jurors. "Mr. Mesereau really did have a tragedy in his family and he could not have performed as he is expected to. Mr Jackson really was sick. He really had the flu."
Judge Melville assured the would-be jurors that neither incident had been a ploy by the defense and asked them not to hold the delays against Jackson or his lawyers.
Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Valley ranch and with conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
Judge Melville has established a pool of about 240 jury candidates, from which he will choose the 12 men and women who will ultimately decide Jackson's fate, as well as eight alternates.
As questioning of the jurors resumed today, three women acknowledged they might find it difficult to be fair.
Both prosecutors and defense attorneys are permitted by law to excuse jurors who cannot be fair. Each side can also remove up to 10 jurors without stating a reason.