Jury alternates quizzed in Michael Jackson trial

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Prosecutors and defence lawyers in Michael Jackson's child molestation case questioned potential alternate jurors on Thursday, a step that could clear the way for opening statements in the high-profile trial as soon as next week.

Jackson, 46, wearing a black suit and a glittering green vest, sat with his lawyers in court and occasionally conferred with them as the jury pool was questioned. Eight will be chosen as alternates who will serve if any of the regular jurors are dismissed during the trial.

Jackson is charged with molesting a then-13-year-old boy at his Neverland estate. He has pleaded innocent.

The pace of the jury selection process has surprised court watchers, who had expected weeks of questioning and challenges by both sides.

Instead, the process has shot ahead and was on track to possibly be completed in less than a week under the direction of Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville.

On Wednesday, a jury of eight women and four men ranging in age from 20 to 79, was chosen for the trial. There were no blacks chosen for the panel, which will sit in judgment on one of the world's most famous African American stars.

There was one black man, a 19-year-old part-time delivery driver, among the potential alternates being questioned on Thursday.

One of the potential alternates said that his mother-in-law had once worked at Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch and was a potential witness for the defence team.

All of the regular jurors, who include whites, Latinos and one Asian woman, were asked if they could fairly judge a person of another race.

Jackson is charged in a 10-count Santa Barbara County grand jury indictment with molesting the now 15-year-old boy and conspiring to commit false imprisonment, child abduction and extortion.

Most of the jurors, who have not been identified by name, have said they were familiar with the charges against Jackson but had not followed the case closely in the media.

- REUTERS