And now, a word (or two) from Michael Jackson

TIM MOLLOY

Associated Press


SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Each afternoon at Michael Jackson's trial, about a dozen silent reporters gather to hear his words of the day.

Before he leaves court, they decide who will ask him a question and what it will be. The chosen reporter asks the question in a clear, modulated voice, and all fall quiet as they try to hear Jackson's often hushed response.

On Tuesday, Jackson said he felt "good," but "angry" as he left court. The next day he said "yes" when asked if he was happy with his lawyer's performance. Watching his accuser's sister testify Thursday was "interesting" and "frustrating," the singer said.

On Friday, Jackson summarized the first week of his child molestation trial by saying, "It went very good, very good."

After months of keeping mum during his pretrial trial court appearances, Jackson is slowly opening up to news crews who follow his every entrance and exit from court.

Part of the reason may be that they have stopped yelling at him. At the suggestion of Peter Shaplen, who coordinates pool coverage of the trial, reporters worked out an informal agreement Tuesday about a new strategy for trying to draw a few words out of Jackson each day.

Shaplen's plan called for abandoning the hit-or-miss journalistic tradition of screaming a dozen questions at once.

Although Jackson's answers aren't long - Friday was the first time he responded in a complete sentence - he has had one every day since Tuesday. There is rarely time for more than one question because the singer and his family quickly get into a waiting SUV.

Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain, said he is talking because he has grown more accustomed to the same faces each day.

"It's almost like the president or people in office," Bain said Friday. "The more they're around the same people, they feel a little more comfortable."

Jackson's remarks may be a preview of things to come. Attorney Thomas Mesereau hinted in his opening statement that he would testify in his own defense, and Bain says his legal team is considering it.

On Friday, Jackson either didn't hear or opted not to answer the day's question, which was, "Any plans for the weekend?" When a reporter tried a different question, Jackson replied, "Pardon?"

The question, "How did it go this week?" was repeated, and Jackson had his "very good" response.

Reporters haven't bothered with more specific questions because a gag order keeps Jackson and other participants in the trial from talking about it.

Darrel E. Parker, the assistant trial court executive officer, said it's unclear whether Jackson's brief comments could violate the order.

"If somebody objects to that I think it would have to be the prosecution or the judge, if they became aware of it," Parker said.

Bain said Jackson's comments weren't a problem because the order bars Jackson from discussing the trial, not from sharing his feelings.

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