Judge in Jackson Case Seals More Documents

Judge in Jackson Case Seals More Documents UPDATED – Thursday July 01, 2004 10:59pm LOS ANGELES (AP) – Intense interest in the Michael Jackson child molestation case led the judge to seal more information from the public and the press Thursday, saying he wanted to avoid media reporting and analysis of evidence. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville released dozens of search-warrant request forms showing that extensive searches being conducted by authorities in the case have spread across the country and involve numerous banks, department stores, cellular telephone services and an Internet service. But the forms did not identify whose accounts were being searched, what was being sought or what was found. Melville also indicated he wants to keep secret all evidence until he rules whether or not it is admissible at trial, saying it’s necessary to prevent potential jurors from hearing evidence through the media that shouldn’t enter into the case. “In this case, protection of the parties’ right to a fair trial and full opportunity to investigate the facts overcomes the right of public access to the record,” the judge said. Jackson, 45, has pleaded not guilty to committing a lewd act upon a child, administering alcohol, and conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. The banks and phone companies in the search warrant request forms had corporate headquarters in states including New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Texas and South Dakota. :nav Source: [url=http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0704/156681.html]http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0704/156681.html[/url]