The 13-year-old boy suing Michael Jackson for alleged sexual molestation may have his day in court next year despite the continuing criminal investigation of the singer, a judge ruled.
Superior Court Judge David M. Rothman refused to postpone the civil trial, putting the boy's interests ahead of Jackson's concerns that he might have to withhold testimony in the civil trial to avoid incriminating himself."A young person of this age is prejudiced by a substantial delay and the stress placed on the child," the judge said Tuesday.
The trial was set for March 21. Rothman said it could be delayed if criminal charges are filed against Jackson.
Jackson's lawyers had sought to delay the civil trial by as much as six years, when the statute of limitations on any criminal charges of molestation runs out. A grand jury is weighing criminal charges.
The singer was also ordered to submit to a deposition before Jan. 31, when he is expected to have completed what his doctor says is treatment for an addiction to painkillers.
The Santa Barbara News-Press reported Wednesday that members of the Santa Barbara County grand jury were to meet Tuesday to hear testimony in the case. The session was called off when witnesses volunteered information to investigators, according to an unidentified source.