The evidence phase of Michael Jackson's child molestation trial came to an abrupt end after jurors watched a videotape in which the singer's young accuser told detectives Jackson repeatedly masturbated him after nights of heavy drinking.
Asked by Det. Sergeant Steve Robel if Jackson had ever touched him, the boy is seen taking a deep breath and staring straight ahead before whispering; "He wanted to show me how to masturbate. I said no. Then he said he would do it for me."
"He put his hand in my pants," the boy said, "He started masturbating me. I told him I didn't want to do that," the boy, who was 13 at the time of the July 2003 interview, added.
The boy, who at times during the interview was sniffling and appeared close to tears, told Robel that after the family returned to Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch in February 2003 following a stay in Florida with the singer he spent every night in Jackson's bed.
He said every night that his younger brother was not in Jackson's bedroom with them, Jackson masturbated him. He said that happened on about five occasions and followed bouts of drinking. Several jurors appeared moved by the video.
When the courtroom lights went on after it had been shown one female juror appeared to have red eyes and another was clutching a paper tissue.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty to charges of molesting the boy, then 13, at Neverland in February or March of 2003, plying the young cancer patient with alcohol in order to abuse him and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
He faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
Former Santa Barbara County prosecutor Craig Smith said the taped interview was powerful evidence for prosecutors.
"The bottom line is the evidence to end this case could not have been better for the prosecution," he said. Jackson's attorneys had objected to the showing of the video and vowed that if it were shown they would call at least five witnesses, including the boy and his mother, back to the witness stand for more cross-examination.
But after it ended Mesereau surprised court observers by declaring that the defense would rest.
"I do believe the threats to recall him (the boy) were really a bluff to scare the prosecution off from playing the tape," Smith said.
The court will be closed for Monday's Memorial Day holiday and on Tuesday attorneys will start discussing with the judge what instructions should be given to the jurors before they begin their deliberations.
Closing arguments in the case could begin as early as Wednesday, with the jury getting the case possibly by the end of the week.