Jackson trial tentatively scheduled for Sept. 13

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- The judge in the Michael Jackson child-molestation case refused to lift intense secrecy Friday as he set a Sept. 13 tentative trial date that he expects will be pushed back. Judge Rodney Melville made it clear he won't let the public or press in on much pretrial material, maintaining a lid on such basic documents as the grand jury indictment. He promised written rulings on media requests for access and rebuked attorneys for failing to file some motions under seal. Jackson, 45, is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

Melville called the Sept. 13 trial date "a bull's eye that we're shooting at" and said the case probably will be delayed more than once.

Defense attorneys objected to setting a trial date, saying the prosecution had not given the defense all evidence in the case.

"We have a client who has endured the cloud of this case for the better part of six to seven months," said defense attorney Steve Cochran, "and we still don't have the forensic tests. ... The materials we're seeing make reference to informants, but we have not been given the identities of the informants. We have been given some tape recordings that are inaudible."

Cochran implored the judge to order prosecutors to disclose all their evidence to the defense. But after a secret, half-hour conference in the judge's chambers, the judge said it wasn't necessary to issue an order and he was convinced the prosecution would comply.

Prosecutors said they have already turned over almost all the evidence, including 2,202 pages of reports, 69 audio tapes, two videotapes and one CD-ROM of photographs.

Also Friday, Melville decided not to release the full indictment or grand jury testimony, as requested by news organizations including The Associated Press.

The judge excised the names of five alleged unindicted coconspirators from the indictment as well as 28 acts that prosecutors contend are incriminating. The judge set a June 25 hearing on the grand jury transcripts.

The judge also refused to consider releasing more details of a mysterious motion which threatens to hold someone in contempt for talking on television. The prosecution motion was released in such a heavily edited form on Thursday that it was incomprehensible.

Attorney Theodore Boutrous, representing media organizations including The Associated Press, told the judge that secrecy in such a high-profile case does not serve the public interest.

"When prosecutors file a charge like this against a celebrity, it tests the system," said Boutrous. "It is the best chance for the public to see the system at work."

He said the judge's desire to protect the identity of the minor in the case is understandable but that most information could be released without the identity being compromised.

Outside court, Boutrous called the sealing of portions of the grand jury indictment unprecedented and said, "The more public interest there is the more public access there should be."

Also Friday, the judge delayed ruling on reducing Jackson's $3 million bail.

Defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr. cited his client's charitable contributions, lack of criminal record and substantial assets in Santa Barbara County, including his Neverland Ranch, in urging the judge to lower bail. He said the bail is wildly excessive for the crimes charged and suggested bail should be $435,000 at most.

Prosecutor Ron Zonen called Jackson's bail "roughly comparable to what he would spend in a weekend in Las Vegas," and noted that the pop star is a self-declared billionaire.

The prosecution suggested in court papers made available Sunday that Jackson could be a flight risk because he is "known and adored" in several countries that lack extradition treaties with the United States.