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Gag order confusion swirls in Jackson trial

Jurors, meanwhile, conclude their third day of deliberations without a verdict.

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - A controversy over the gag order in the Michael Jackson case arose Wednesday when Jackson's attorney issued a statement saying he had not authorized anyone to hold news conferences on the pop star's behalf.

The statement from attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. came as the jurors in Jackson's molestation trial wrapped up their third full day of deliberations. Mesereau's statement appeared aimed at assuring the court that his defense team had not violated a gag order imposed by the trial judge.

Mesereau did not name anyone, but his statement came shortly after Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, held a news conference at the courthouse in which she indicated that her comments had been approved by Mesereau. Others, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, also have spoken publicly on the pop star's behalf in recent days.

"I have not authorized anyone to speak or hold any press conferences on behalf of Michael Jackson or his family," Mesereau said in the statement issued on a Jackson Web site. "A gag order is in effect which the defense team will continue to honor."

It was originally announced that the court would release a statement, but the judge simply signed off on the statement.

Shortly before the statement was issued, Bain had addressed the media.

There was little new in her comments, but she said "If Mr. Mesereau didn't want me here, I wouldn't be here. I never speak to the media without talking to Mr. Mesereau."

Bain insisted in the wake of Mesereau's statement that it had not been directed at her.

"It appears Mr. Mesereau is concerned about a number of people who have been going to the court, using the court as a forum," she said in a telephone interview. "He's concerned people who do not have the authority to speak on Mr. Jackson's behalf are out there."

She said she runs everything she says by Mesereau and does not violate the gag order because she talks about how Jackson is feeling and not about the case.

"I am Mr. Jackson's personal publicist and spokesman so that (the gag order) does not apply to me," she said.

The defendant remained away from the courthouse Wednesday but his longtime friend, the Rev. Jackson, came by to advocate on his behalf before the news media.

Jesse Jackson charged that the jury was being subjected to "psychological warfare" because of a television report in which a former Santa Barbara County sheriff showed a jail where the singer might go if convicted and immediately ordered into custody.

The jury is scheduled for only a half-day session today.

The 46-year-old Jackson is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003 and giving him wine and conspiracy involving an effort to hold the boy and his family against their will to get them to rebut a damaging documentary about Jackson.

[Last modified June 9, 2005, 01:18:46]