Michael Jackson Trial: “I’m going to deny the request to bring in the evidence of the blemished penis”

The defense wrapped up its testimony yesterday in the Michael Jackson child molestation and conspriacy case with Chris Tucker, and the rebuttal phase of the trial began.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville ruled this morning that jurors could view a police interview videotape with Jackson’s teenage accuser during which the boy said Jackson had molested him. Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon had made the request saying the tape would counter defense claims that the boy’s allegations against Jackson were coached or scripted, and had been consistent about the abuse since his first interview with police in 2003.

Defense attorneys said they then wanted the option of re-questioning the accuser, the boy’s mother, a psychologist who interviewed the boy (Stan Katz), and the attorney who sent him to the psychologist (Larry Feldman). Judge Melville said the witnesses should be alerted.

The prosecution had also requested permission to compare photos of Michael Jackson’s penis, with its reportedly distinctive “spot,” in the courtroom along with a similarly “spotted” drawing of the King of Pop’s genitalia by the boy who accused him of molestation in 1993.

“I’m going to deny the request to bring in the evidence of the blemished penis,” Melville said. “The prejudicial effect would far outweigh the probative value,” he added alliteratively.