Judge in Jackson Case Seals Key Defense Motion
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SANTA MARIA, Calif. — The judge in the Michael Jackson child molestation case sealed a major defense motion without comment Friday, continuing a pattern of secrecy he has imposed throughout the proceedings.
The order by Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville came in response to a request from Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. to keep secret a motion that seeks dismissal of the charges against the entertainer.
The ruling means the public will not know on what grounds Jackson is challenging the indictment that charges him with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering alcohol to a child and conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
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