Michael Jackson's arraignment on a grand-jury indictment marks a turning point in the five-month-old child molestation case against the singer, moving him closer to a trial.
With a new team of lawyers in place, Jackson appears to be continuing to rejuggle his inner circle to prepare for the ordeal ahead. Sources say he has minimized the involvement of the Nation of Islam and is relying more heavily on his brother Randy for advice.
On Thursday, word came that Jackson had fired a security service he hired to replace the Nation of Islam guards, and it was unclear who would be guarding him from now on.
PHOTO: AP
Police Chief Danny Macagni said 42 of Santa Maria's 107 police officers were assigned to the courthouse, along with about 50 sheriff's deputies. More than 1,000 fans and at least 130 members of the media were expected.
Thomas Mesereau Jr., a veteran criminal defense attorney, took over the case last weekend after Jackson decided to remove Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman, the two high-profile lawyers who had been directing his defense. The star said he wanted lawyers who could devote full time to his case.
The Mesereau team includes his law partner Susan Yu and two longtime Jackson attorneys, Steve Cochran and Robert Sanger.
While the law team prepared for actions inside the courtroom yesterday, the city of Santa Maria was getting ready for an invasion of Jackson fans outside.
On Thursday night, two to three dozen fans gathered outside the singer's Neverland Ranch about 50km from the courthouse for a candlelight vigil. Some wore black "Free Michael" T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.
Paul Thomas, a 25-year-old student who arrived in California from London on Wednesday, said he planned to be at the courthouse by 7am yesterday.
"I didn't come here to gawk at him. I just want to support him," he said. "I think he is a good role model. He has a lot of morals. You can see he's a nice person, always giving to charity."
Pedro Rivero, 22, who flew in from Madrid, said he had a feeling he needed to be at the arraignment.
"Everything that's happening is so unfair," said Rivero, who said he had been inside Neverland in the past and met Jackson "too many times to count."
"He's just so genuine, so pure," he said. "I think he's the best."
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