Re: Michael Jackson
Updated: 1:47 p.m. ET March 28, 2005SANTA MARIA, Calif. - <br /><br />The judge in Michael Jacksons child molestation trial ruled Monday that the prosecution may present testimony about past allegations against the pop star involving five boys, including two who reached multimillion-dollar civil settlements with the singer.<br /><br />Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville ruled after hearing arguments by District Attorney Tom Sneddon and vigorous opposition by defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr.<br /><br />The judge said he would allow testimony about alleged sexual offenses and an alleged pattern of grooming, or preparing the boys for molestation.<br /><br />The prosecution had sought to introduce testimony about seven boys, but the judge declined to allow evidence about two.<br /><br />The judge said he would allow testimony by a 1990 accuser who received a $2.4 million settlement from Jackson and testimony by that boys mother.<br /><br />A boy who reached a multimillion-dollar settlement from Jackson in 1993 will not testify. Other testimony will be allowed from people who allegedly have knowledge of the case.<br /><br />The judge said the jury can be told that Jackson reached settlements with the 1990 and 1993 accusers but may not be told the amounts, unless the defense brings them up.<br /><br />The last they seen of Jacko, he looked
