SANTA MARIA, June 10: Jurors in Michael Jackson’s trial held a sixth day of deliberations on Friday in a shroud of secrecy that provided no clue as to when they might reach a verdict.
To date, nothing has filtered from the room in which the 12-strong panel is weighing the fate of the ‘King of Pop’, who could face more than 18 years behind bars if he is found guilty of all 10 charges against him.
The jurors appeared relaxed as they stepped off two white vans in which they travelled to the small courthouse for deliberations that generally last six hours a day and are not held over weekends.
Court-watchers tried to guess from the jurors’ dress and demeanour whether they may have a verdict before the end of the day, but admitted this was less reliable than reading tea leaves.
The wait for a verdict is keeping journalists and fans on tenterhooks and has fuelled tension between the two groups.
More than 1,200 reporters, photographers and television crews from 33 countries have set up camp outside the courtroom, a few meters from the gates where a throng of hardcore fans demonstrate support for their embattled idol.—AFP
