FRIDAY’S ACTION
Judge Rodney Melville threatened to sanction lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau for confusion over whether attorney-client privilege had been waived to allow former Jackson lawyer Mark Geragos to testify.
DECEIVED: “I feel deceived by Mr. Mesereau,” the judge said as he threatened sanctions, which could be a fine or contempt citation.
Geragos began testifying last week, when Mesereau assured the court that Geragos had waived attorney-client privilege. But during cross-examination, the lawyer refused to answer questions, saying the waiver was limited to the period before Jackson was arrested in late November 2003.
LAWYER’S CONCERN: Geragos said again Friday he was concerned the family of Jackson’s accuser would try to shake down the pop star.
END IN SIGHT?: The defense might rest its case early next week, a prosecutor said. Defense attorneys did not comment on the statement.
