The defense will rest its case in the Michael Jackson child molestation case today, after a star-studded list of last-minute witnesses testified yesterday, but the pop singer will not take the stand in his own defense as his attorney hinted in his opening statement.

Several times during his opening statement to the jury, Tom Mesereau told the jury that "Michael Jackson will tell you," but he told the court yesterday that actor-comedian Chris Tucker would be the final defense witness.

The move ended months of speculation by the media that Mesereau would not expose his client to what promised to be a brutal cross-examination if he took the stand. Closing arguments in the trial are expected to begin early next week.

Yesterday, "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno took the stand for the defense, but he did not testify to the facts that Mesereau told the jury that he would. Leno said he talked with the teenage accuser while he was hospitalized, but neither the accuser or his mother ever mentioned wanting money. Leno also said he did not contact police because he was suspicious of the family's motives.

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See Also:
Michael Jackson Won't Take Stand But Leno Does
Leno Goes Back to Jackson Jokes on TV Show

Background:
The Michael Jackson Case
King of Pop or Wacko Jacko?
Jackson Accusation Details Revealed
Daily Crime Headlines