Prosecutors seized 'erotic material' from Jackson

LOS ANGELES - Prosecutors want to display "erotic materials" seized from pop star Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch at his child molestation trial, saying the books, magazines and videos reveal his motive in touching a young boy were sexual, court papers showed on Monday.

Details of the material that Santa Barbara County prosecutors want admitted at Jackson's trial were censored by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville, who blacked out much of the documents and has imposed an unusual level of secrecy in the case.

"The people seek to introduce numerous ... books, videos and magazines seized on November 13, 2003 from the defendant's master bedroom suite at Neverland Valley Ranch, the video arcade and from a room adjoining the defendant's private office in a security building," District Attorney Tom Sneddon said in the papers.

A more precise description of the materials was blacked out by the judge.

"The people also seek to admit three hard-cover books and two photographs seized from the defendant's Neverland Ranch by the Los Angeles Police Department in August, 1993," the papers said.

Jackson's lawyers were expected to oppose the move during a hearing on Friday.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Monday, when hundreds of potential jurors are summoned to the courthouse in Santa Maria to determine if they can serve in a trial that could last for up to six months.

Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 and conspiracy. The 46-year-old entertainer has pleaded not guilty.

In a separate case, a young boy accused Jackson of molesting him in 1993. Jackson and the boy's family settled that case out of court and no criminal charges were ever filed against the pop star.

- REUTERS