Jackson witness 'suspected plot'

Mr Jackson's lawyers say he has an innocent love of children

Michael Jackson's former lawyer has told the singer's child abuse trial he had suspected the family of Mr Jackson's accuser might try extortion.

Mark Geragos resumed his testimony, begun last week, by saying he was so concerned that he decided to put Gavin Arvizo's family under surveillance.

Prosecutor Ron Zonen, meanwhile, said he believed the defence team might rest its case as early as next week.

Mr Jackson denies abuse and conspiring to kidnap the boy and his family.

If convicted, the singer faces up to 20 years in jail.

'Concocted story'

Mr Geragos, who was hired by the singer in 2003, told jurors in Santa Maria, California, that he became suspicious about the Arvizo family's intentions in early February that year.

He said he feared the family might "go to the tabloids" to sell a false story or to a lawyer to try to sue the star.

Mr Geragos has made his name representing high-profile clients

"My concern then was there were going to be some accusations made, some story concocted," Mr Geragos said.

He added that he then decided to hire a private investigator to find out who the family was meeting and what they were doing.

Mr Geragos - who began testifying on 13 May - was granted a seven-day delay because he had obligations to other cases.

He told the court last Friday that he believed his former client had an innocent child-like love for young people that was never inappropriate.

Mr Geragos' latest testimony was marked by heated exchanges between him and the prosecutor, Mr Zonen.

Mr Zonen asked Mr Geragos if he put the family under surveillance because he was concerned Gavin Arvizo would "return to Michael's bed" after the broadcast of a documentary that triggered the investigation into Mr Jackson.

In the 6 February 2003 documentary - by British TV journalist Martin Bashir - Mr Jackson held hands with the then 13-year-old boy and admitted sharing his bed with children.

Prosecutors also argued that the surveillance videotapes were part of the plot by Mr Jackson and his associates to hold the Arvizo family captive.

'Approaching the end'

Mr Zonen said on Friday he believed Mr Jackson's lawyers could rest their case early next week - in less than half the time they had initially said they would require.

"We're approaching the end of trial," Mr Zonen said.

"We believe the defence has indicated that they will rest next Tuesday."

Defence attorneys made no comment on Mr Zonen's statement.

After the defence rests, prosecutors are expected to present a brief rebuttal case which will clear the way for closing arguments within weeks.