Jackson gets sick, delays court date

By The Associated Press

SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- Michael Jackson remained hospitalized with "flu-like" symptoms after making a detour to an emergency room while en route to jury selection in his child molestation trial.

Jackson's ailment Tuesday delayed questioning of potential jurors for the second time in two weeks. Jackson was in stable condition and was being treated for a "flu-like illness with some vomiting," Dr. Chuck Merrill said in a brief press conference at Marian Medical Center, about five hours after Jackson's illness was announced in court.

Merrill said Jackson was receiving liquids intravenously and was expected to make a full recovery.

Earlier, as potential jurors filed into the courtroom -- including a few who were scolded by bailiffs for being late -- Jackson's seat remained empty. Nearly 20 minutes after the singer was scheduled to arrive, Judge Rodney S. Melville announced that Jackson had been taken to a hospital.

After talking to Jackson's doctor, the judge said Jackson would need several days to recover from the flu and delayed jury selection until Feb. 22.

"He has all the symptoms that we all have when we have the flu," Melville said.

The judge noted that several members of the jury pool were also out with flu and that it appeared to be going around.

"He'll have ample time to get well and you'll have ample time to get sick," Melville said.

Before the judge's announcement, Jackson's lawyers gathered in a vestibule at the back of the courtroom, talking on cell phones and trying to figure out why their client was delayed.

One pool reporter who overheard attorney Brian Oxman quoted him as saying, "You're going to the emergency room? Well you better make sure you get a note or a report."

Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. told the judge Jackson had also felt ill Monday, when attorneys began questioning jurors for any signs of possible bias.

"He was not feeling well yesterday. He got sick last night," Mesereau said. "He became ill on the way over."

Leaving court, Oxman told reporters, "He's doing OK."

Some potential jurors appeared annoyed by the delay, which came a week after another delay due to the death of Mesereau's sister.

"Six months of this?" one prospect muttered, referring to the anticipated length of the trial.

Meanwhile, outside the Marian Medical Center about two miles from court, dozens of fans and reporters gathered.