Grand Jury indictment Of Jackson

Nickatilynx · 02-21-2005

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...grandjury.html

The Smoking Gun Web site has published 1,903 pages of what it says are the sealed grand jury proceedings that led to the indictment of pop star Michael Jackson on charges of child molestation last year, said Reuters.

The Smoking Gun front page. Ph. Archives

The Web site which frequently breaks legal stories, did not say where it obtained the documents, only that it believed them to be genuine, added Reuters.

"We know where we obtained them," Smoking Gun co-founder and Editor William Bastone said, adding there was no question the papers were authentic.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville has gone to unusual lengths to keep details of the case sealed until the trial starts.

He ordered the grand jury indictment sealed, including the specifics of the allegations listed against Jackson to protect what he said was the pop star's right to a fair trial. He also has imposed a gag order on lawyers in the case.

According to Reuters, several media outlets have gone to court to get the transcripts unsealed. They have so far been unsuccessful. An appeals court is considering their case.

News organizations have said the judge's actions have thrown a nearly unprecedented veil of secrecy over a high profile case.

Jackson's lawyers and prosecutors operate under a gag order in which they cannot comment on the case without the prior permission of the judge.

The website revealed that the complete grand jury transcript runs 1903 pages and includes the testimony of 41 witnesses, including the alleged victim and six members of his family, several Jackson employees and associates, flight attendants, child welfare officials, four lawyers, one clinical psychologist, and a comedy club owner.

In addition to the family's testimony, since a prosecutor read the entire Jackson indictment to the grand jury, the website included those transcript pages that provided a verbatim account of what's on the six pages that have been cloaked for nearly a year.

In an interview with Reuters, William Bastone said the Smoking Gun was not under any legal constraints that would prevent it from publishing the transcript.”

He added that "reporters are not subject to a gag order, adding it was important for the public to know what the case against Jackson is like so they can judge whether the pop star is being fairly treated.”

Jackson is charged in a 10-count Santa Barbara County grand jury indictment with sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, who was seen with the entertainer in a 2003 documentary by journalist Martin Bashir. The singer is also charged with conspiring to commit false imprisonment, extortion and child abduction. He has pleaded not guilty.

02-21-2005	#1
Nickatilynx Banned Want to see your own Advertising Here! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Vancouver Canada Posts: 15,115	http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...grandjury.html The Smoking Gun Web site has published 1,903 pages of what it says are the sealed grand jury proceedings that led to the indictment of pop star Michael Jackson on charges of child molestation last year, said Reuters. The Smoking Gun front page. Ph. Archives The Web site which frequently breaks legal stories, did not say where it obtained the documents, only that it believed them to be genuine, added Reuters. "We know where we obtained them," Smoking Gun co-founder and Editor William Bastone said, adding there was no question the papers were authentic. Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville has gone to unusual lengths to keep details of the case sealed until the trial starts. He ordered the grand jury indictment sealed, including the specifics of the allegations listed against Jackson to protect what he said was the pop star's right to a fair trial. He also has imposed a gag order on lawyers in the case. According to Reuters, several media outlets have gone to court to get the transcripts unsealed. They have so far been unsuccessful. An appeals court is considering their case. News organizations have said the judge's actions have thrown a nearly unprecedented veil of secrecy over a high profile case. Jackson's lawyers and prosecutors operate under a gag order in which they cannot comment on the case without the prior permission of the judge. The website revealed that the complete grand jury transcript runs 1903 pages and includes the testimony of 41 witnesses, including the alleged victim and six members of his family, several Jackson employees and associates, flight attendants, child welfare officials, four lawyers, one clinical psychologist, and a comedy club owner. In addition to the family's testimony, since a prosecutor read the entire Jackson indictment to the grand jury, the website included those transcript pages that provided a verbatim account of what's on the six pages that have been cloaked for nearly a year. In an interview with Reuters, William Bastone said the Smoking Gun was not under any legal constraints that would prevent it from publishing the transcript.” He added that "reporters are not subject to a gag order, adding it was important for the public to know what the case against Jackson is like so they can judge whether the pop star is being fairly treated.” Jackson is charged in a 10-count Santa Barbara County grand jury indictment with sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, who was seen with the entertainer in a 2003 documentary by journalist Martin Bashir. The singer is also charged with conspiring to commit false imprisonment, extortion and child abduction. He has pleaded not guilty.