Jackson accusers could face tests

Michael Jackson has denied child abuse charges

Michael Jackson's lawyers want his accuser and his family to undergo psychological tests ahead of his child abuse trial, due to begin in January.

They argued that details of the alleged abuse in the original complaint differ from April's indictment to stand trial.

The legal team said the indictment no longer followed the details recounted by psychologist Stanley Katz, who interviewed the teenage boy.

Mr Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to 10 child abuse charges.

"Somewhere, the perception of the facts in this case was significantly altered," Mr Jackson's lawyers said.

Alleged discrepancies

The original complaint was filed by Santa Barbara county prosecutors in December 2003 following information received from Mr Katz.

It charged Mr Jackson with seven counts of lewd acts with a child and two counts of administering an intoxicant to a minor according to Mr Jackson's lawyers.

The alleged abuses were said to have taken place between 7 February and 10 March 2003.

But Mr Jackson's legal team said the indictment of their client in April 2004 was different - it charged the singer with four counts of lewd acts with a child, one count of an attempted lewd act and four counts of administering an intoxicant.

This time, the dates of the alleged abuse were listed as between 20 February and 12 March 2003, according to the star's lawyers.

The motion asks the judge for a psychological evaluation of the boy who made the accusation, his brother and their mother.

A hearing about the motion for the psychological reports will take place on Monday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.