Bed Buddies

Michael Jackson's defence kicked off yesterday.

The first up to the witness stand was Wade Robson, a choreographer for stars such as Britney Spears. He knew Jackson a few years ago when he, Robson, was a child.

Robson was asked if Jackson ever molested him. Robson responded:

"Absolutely not,".

It seemed, to observers, that Robson was not comfortable with being cross examined by the prosecution.

They asked:

"The first time you slept with Michael Jackson you were seven years old is that correct?".

Robson said:

"I slept in the same bed,", and confirmed that he had slept with Jackson between 15-20 times as he aged from 7 to 13 years old.

Why would a 30 year old man wish to sleep with a 7 year old?

What were Robson's parents thinking of allowing such a state of affairs?

Robson, despite a former maid claiming that she saw it, denied ever showering with Jackson.

Robson also denied any form of kissing, touching or cuddling.

The prosecution then showed Robson pages from one of the books seized from Jackson's house. They tried to commit him to state that the pictures were pornographic, he did not acquiesce at the first attempt.

However, when shown pictures from a second book involving sodomy, he admitted that he would be concerned about a young boy sharing a bed with a man who read such literature.

Robson said he never saw any pornographic magazines at Jackson's home, and despite the nature of the magazines he was shown, he maintained that he would allow his own children to sleep with Michael Jackson.

Brett Barnes, a roulette dealer from Melbourne, then took the stand; he testified that he met Jackson when he was only 5 years old.

Barnes said that he always slept in Jackson's bedroom; sometimes alone, sometimes with other boys.

He said they would stay up watching movies, playing video games and having pillow fights. He claimed that everyone kept their pajamas on.

Barnes was asked if Jackson had ever molested him. He answered:

"Absolutely not, and I can tell you right now, if he had, I wouldn't be here right now..It's not the type of thing I stand for."

The last time he slept in Jackson's bedroom was when he was 19.

The case continues.