Jackson spokeswoman denies he was trying to avoid accuser – AP

Posted on Fri, Mar. 11, 2005 [b]Jackson spokeswoman denies he was trying to avoid accuser[/b] LINDA DEUTSCH Associated Press SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Michael Jackson’s spokeswoman said Friday the pop star was in “excruciating pain” when he was late for court on Thursday and was not trying to avoid a courtroom confrontation with the accuser in his child molestation case. “He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life,” Raymone Bain said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Jackson went to a hospital for treatment Thursday and missed the court’s scheduled start time. The judge responded by threatening to have Jackson jailed if he didn’t show up within an hour. The singer’s attorney spent the hour pacing outside, sometimes using his cell phone, as Jackson’s entourage sped from the hospital to the courthouse, arriving a few minutes after the hour expired. He entered court in disarray, wearing pajama bottoms, a T-shirt and coat. The judge took no action against him and ordered testimony to resume. Bain expressed distress at suggestions that Jackson was afraid to confront the 15-year-old boy who is accusing him of molestation. “Michael was not intimidated by his accuser,” she said. “His defense team has done an exceptional job and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser. He had a lot of confidence that the defense team would reach the same results with him they had with other witnesses.” Jackson stayed home from a motions hearing Friday. “His back is still out,” said Bain. “But he will be in court Monday.”Posted on Fri, Mar. 11, 2005 Jackson spokeswoman denies he was trying to avoid accuser LINDA DEUTSCH Associated Press SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Michael Jackson’s spokeswoman said Friday the pop star was in “excruciating pain” when he was late for court on Thursday and was not trying to avoid a courtroom confrontation with the accuser in his child molestation case. “He told me he has never experienced such pain in his life,” Raymone Bain said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Jackson went to a hospital for treatment Thursday and missed the court’s scheduled start time. The judge responded by threatening to have Jackson jailed if he didn’t show up within an hour. The singer’s attorney spent the hour pacing outside, sometimes using his cell phone, as Jackson’s entourage sped from the hospital to the courthouse, arriving a few minutes after the hour expired. He entered court in disarray, wearing pajama bottoms, a T-shirt and coat. The judge took no action against him and ordered testimony to resume. Bain expressed distress at suggestions that Jackson was afraid to confront the 15-year-old boy who is accusing him of molestation. “Michael was not intimidated by his accuser,” she said. “His defense team has done an exceptional job and he has been looking forward to facing his accuser. He had a lot of confidence that the defense team would reach the same results with him they had with other witnesses.” Jackson stayed home from a motions hearing Friday. “His back is still out,” said Bain. “But he will be in court Monday.” Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/politics/11113744.htm