Post by Taxigirl on Dec 15, 2004 9:33:40 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4097417.stm
Prosecutors are seeking to admit evidence of singer Michael Jackson's "prior sexual offences" in the forthcoming child molestation trial.
Santa Barbara County prosecutors said the evidence will show Mr Jackson, 46, has a "propensity" towards such crimes.
A 1995 California law allows relevant previous acts, whether prosecuted or not, be considered in sex crime cases.
The motion will be discussed on 20 December. The singer denies 10 child molestation and conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors believe evidence of Mr Jackson's "prior sexual offences" would prove the credibility of the current alleged victim, countering claims by the defence that the case was made up to extort money from the pop star.
'Black out'
"The best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again," Senior Deputy District Attorney Gerald Franklin said in the motion.
The motion, filed by the district attorney's office on Tuesday, was released by the court with key sections blacked out.
Lawyers in the case are prohibited from speaking about previous allegations against the pop star under a strict gag order issued by the judge.
Also on Tuesday, Mr Jackson's defence team filed a motion to get the singer's child molestation charges thrown out, or the forthcoming trial delayed.
They want the trial, scheduled for 31 January, put back to give them time to plough through late evidence.
Prosecutors are seeking to admit evidence of singer Michael Jackson's "prior sexual offences" in the forthcoming child molestation trial.
Santa Barbara County prosecutors said the evidence will show Mr Jackson, 46, has a "propensity" towards such crimes.
A 1995 California law allows relevant previous acts, whether prosecuted or not, be considered in sex crime cases.
The motion will be discussed on 20 December. The singer denies 10 child molestation and conspiracy charges.
Prosecutors believe evidence of Mr Jackson's "prior sexual offences" would prove the credibility of the current alleged victim, countering claims by the defence that the case was made up to extort money from the pop star.
'Black out'
"The best way to prove that a man is a sex offender is to prove that he has sexually offended again and again," Senior Deputy District Attorney Gerald Franklin said in the motion.
The motion, filed by the district attorney's office on Tuesday, was released by the court with key sections blacked out.
Lawyers in the case are prohibited from speaking about previous allegations against the pop star under a strict gag order issued by the judge.
Also on Tuesday, Mr Jackson's defence team filed a motion to get the singer's child molestation charges thrown out, or the forthcoming trial delayed.
They want the trial, scheduled for 31 January, put back to give them time to plough through late evidence.