Jackson Trial to Heat Up This Week

The child molestation trial of Michael Jackson should heat up this week as the jury begins to hear testimony from a series of witnesses who will testify about previous inappropriate behavior by the pop singer.

Last week, Judge Rodney Melville ruled that testimony about five previous incidents at Neverland Ranch could be presented to the jury, but the remainder of the week was taken up by prosecution witnesses who seemed to undermine the defense's theory that the motivation of his current accuser's family was money.

A string of comedians, who met the accuser's family through a benefit held at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, refuted the defense claims that the family was only concerned with money. One of them testified that when they offered money to the family, they turned it down, saying what they really needed was friendship and prayers.

Also last week, the attorney who first interviewed Michael Jackson's accuser testified that he never was asked to file a lawsuit against the singer.

The latest headlines from the Michael Jackson trial:

• Michael Jackson Trial Reaches Critical Point
  
• Comics Lighten Up Testimony in Jackson Trial
  
• Developments in the Michael Jackson Trial
  
• Michael Jackson Crowned 'Most Foolish'
  

Background:
The Michael Jackson Case
King of Pop or Wacko Jacko?
Witnesses Back Up Jackson Accuser's Claims
Jackson Accusation Details Revealed