US: A jury of four men and eight women was selected yesterday for pop star Michael Jackson's trial on charges that he molested a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Valley Ranch in California.
Prosecutors and lawyers for Jackson (46) then began the process of selecting eight alternates, who will take the place of any jurors who are dismissed during the trial. Opening statements could begin as early as next week.
The jurors, who range in age from 20 to 79, include a woman whose family experienced sexual abuse. Her sister was raped at the age of 12 and two of her nieces were sexually molested, she told the court.
Three Hispanic jurors were chosen, but there are no blacks on the panel.
Jackson has been is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his ranch and with conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. He has entered a "not guilty" plea.
Jury selection resumed this week after two weeks of delays and court observers were surprised at how quickly the proceedings went under the direction of Judge Rodney Melville.