Don't be swayed by "pity," or "prejudice" over Jackson, judge tells jury

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

SANTA MARIA, United States (AFP) — The judge in Michael Jackson's child sex trial instructed jurors not to be swayed by "pity," or "prejudice" or "public sympathy" when considering the superstar's fate.

Judge Rodney Melville told the panel of eight women and four men that "pity" and other emotional and external considerations should not colour their decision on whether or not to find Jackson guilty.

"You must not be influenced by sentiment, conjecture, prejudice, public sympathy or public feeling," the judge said after summoning jurors back into court after a day and a half of legal wrangling out of their earshot.

Jackson, 46, was also back in court as panellists were handed a 2.5-centimeter (one inch) thick book of jury instructions, the size of a thin...