Bashir Called as First Witness

Martin Bashir, the British journalist whose documentary revealed to the world that Michael Jackson shared his bed with young children, is expected to take the stand for the prosecution Tuesday, the second day of the alleged child molestation trial.

Bashir's 2003 made-for-TV documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," was a catalyst for the latest child molestation charges against the pop star, who also faced charges in the 1990s. Bashir will be the first witness to take the stand.

Although the relationship between Jackson and his then 10-year-old accuser began in 2000, the accusations of child molestation surfaced after the airing of the Bashir special in which the young boy was recorded holding hands with the superstar and leaning his head on Jackson's shoulder.


The timing of the allegations has caused some legal analysts to suggest the accuser's mother filed the complaint only after concluding the documentary could be used as evidence against Jackson.

Following a three-hour opening statement Monday by District Attorney Thomas Sneddon, who also filed charges against Jackson in the 1990s, Jackson attorney Tom Mesereau described the mother of Jackson's accuser as a woman who often files lawsuits for money.

According to Mesereau, the family also approached Jay Leno, George Lopez, Mike Tyson, Jim Carrey and other celebrities for money. "The most vulnerable celebrity became the mark," Mesereau said, referring to Jackson.

Reports indicate, the family received more than $100,000 from J.C. Penney in 2001 after the child's mother filed suit against the department store for allegedly beating family members, according to Jackon's site.

“The family claimed in a lawsuit that they were beaten by guards and held against their will and that the mother was groped,” according to the site. “[Judge Rodney S.] Melville said he will allow testimony about the case, especially as it pertains to the mother’s credibility.”

On Friday, Attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. told Melville that the accuser’s family “has a habit, pattern practice and MO of starting friendly relationships and looking for ways of making money. She has made allegations like that throughout her adult life to get money,” he said.

On Monday, Sneddon said that Jackson began showing the boy pornographic Web sites during the child’s first visit to Neverland Ranch in 2000, when he was only 10 years old.

During the investigation, authorities found the fingerprints of Jackson and those of his accuser on pornographic materials.

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Will the accuser's family's history of lawsuits affect the trial?