[b]Jackson Judge Releases Videotapes, Audio Tape Sealed [/b] Thursday, March 11, 2004 LOS ANGELES The judge in the Michael Jackson (search) child molestation case ordered released what he called “innocuous” videotapes Thursday but kept sealed an audio tape which apparently contains defense interviews with Jackson’s accuser and his family. Santa Barbara County (search) Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville (search) said the audiotape, marked as exhibit 818, could identify areas of defense strategy and should remain secret. “The tape records an interview conducted by a defense investigator for attorney [Mark] Geragos in early 2003,” the judge’s ruling said. “While the questions asked are of a general enough nature so as not to qualify for absolute protection, some prejudice to the defense would exist in identifying areas of general interest to it and in having its own investigative work turned over to the prosecution,” the judge said. … Early in the case, before a gag order was placed on all participants, reports surfaced that Geragos had audio tapes of interviews with the boy and his family in which they praised Jackson and made no mention of molestation. Melville noted that the defense had argued evidence that might impeach prosecution witnesses is not discoverable by the prosecution before trial. “While this is not a standard applicable to seizures pursuant to a search warrant, it is a factor to consider in evaluating the question of prejudice,” he said… :nav [url=http://forum.mjeol.com/index.php?showtopic=14956]Read FULL Article[/url]
Jackson Judge Releases Videotapes, Audio Tape Sealed-AP
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