Judge Rodney Melville said yesterday that he would allow prosecutors to introduce evidence relating to five previous incidents of alleged abuse by Michael Jackson.
Judge Melville said:
"I'm going to permit testimony with regard to sexual offenses and alleged pattern of grooming activity by the defendant,".
Prosecutors are trying to establish that the charges are part of a pattern of behavior by Jackson, saying he has a history of winning over his victims with lavish stays at his Neverland Valley Ranch. This practice of lavishly treating his guests was called "grooming activity" by the judge.
Under the ruling, jurors in Jackson's trial will be allowed to hear about a 1993 case in which he paid some $23 million to settle with the family of Jordie Chandler who accused him of sexual abuse.
Chandler will not testify, but one other man, the son of a former Jackson employee, who has charged Jackson with abuse will take the witness stand.
Defence lawyers sought to block the testimony, arguing that prosecutors were trying to bring in a parade of witnesses with grudges against Jackson.
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