Michael Jackson's lawyers ask for delay of trial

Lawyers for pop star Michael Jackson have "reluctantly" asked a judge to delay his trial on child molestation charges saying that prosecutors have made it impossible to prepare a defence in time.

Attorneys for Jackson said prosecutors have recently turned over 22,000 pages of discovery material that must be analysed and supplied them with a witness list that includes people who don't exist.

They also argued, in court papers submitted December 10 and made public today, that a raid on Jackson's Neverland Valley Ranch this month shows that prosecutors were still investigating the 46-year-old entertainer.

Lawyers for Jackson said they believed Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon was not prepared to go forward with a trial and may have conducted the search to force a delay.

"The defence is hesitant to, in essence, give the district attorney what he wanted by requesting a continuance," Jackson's attorneys said in the court papers.

"However, given the facts articulated below, it has become clear that a continuance is necessary to protect Mr Jackson's right to a fair trial."

Separately, Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville has ordered a member of Jackson's defence team to appear in his courtroom next week to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court for remarks he made to a New York newspaper.

Prosecutors asked that attorney Brian Oxman be held in contempt for speaking about the case to a reporter for the New York Post, which they claim is a violation of Melville's gag order in the case.

Melville has barred the parties from discussing the case in substance.

Jackson, charged in a 10-count indictment with child molestation and conspiracy, is scheduled to stand trial on January 31. The singer has pleaded innocent.

- REUTERS