Jury selection has begun in the US in Marc Schaffel case against Michael Jackson. As previously reported, Schaffel claims that Jackson owes him $3.8m. Jackson, meanwhile has filed a counter-claim against his former business associate. Prospective jurors are being vetted over just how much they know about Jackson, and if they hold any existing opinions which might make them open to prejudice during the trial. Which all seems a bit redundant, really, given that probably pretty much everyone in America has an opinion on Michael Jackson.
Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mundell, again confirmed that the singer is unlikely to appear in person at the Santa Monica court, but that video depositions will be played, adding: "I'd love for him to be here, but he lives in Bahrain, which is 10 time zones away."