World News 04-02-2005 It`s Like Watching Science Fiction who: Michael Jackson what: Attends first day of jury selection as molestation trial begins where: Santa Maria, California when: Monday snippet: "It`s like looking at a fictitious movie. Because it`s fiction. It`s like watching science fiction. It`s not true," says Michael Jackson in an exclusive interview with the Fox News Channel`s correspondent Geraldo Rivera due for broadcast on Saturday, five days after he made his first appearance in court for the month-long jury selection process at his trial on child molestation charges in Santa Maria, California. "I know eventually, the truth will prevail and I`m about truth... I`ve become immune in a way too. I have rhinoceros skin." Jackson`s 41 year-old ex-wife Debbie Rowe is expected to be the star prosecution witness. She is already embroiled in legal action against him after he cut off her $1million-a-year alimony and she sought to re-take custody of their two children. Most of the British newspapers have not identified the boy by name, but The Mirror says the 46 year-old singer is facing ten charges of molesting Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 at the time. These charges include plying the boy with alcohol, groping him and plotting "to force the boy and his family to tape a video clearing him of wrongdoing". He denies all charges. The Times says Jackson was "dressed in a bright white suit and a jewel-trimmed vest and belt" on Monday but The Telegraph says Judge Rodney Melville "emerged as the trial`s first star", exercising a "genial but no-nonsense approach as he supervised the search for the `Jackson 12`, the jury who will decide the singer`s fate". The judge has banned TV cameras in fear of the celebrity trial of the century turning into another OJ Simpson debacle. "The world is watching justice in the United States here," he warned the lawyers, quoted in The Independent on Monday. "I expect and know that you will all carry the burden of showing the world what a fine system we have. That does not include name-calling or personal attacks. I will not abide that." The case is expected to last well into the summer. [... more]

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