Jackson abuse trial jury selected

Jury selection in Mr Jackson's trial was postponed twice

A jury of four men and eight women has been selected for the trial in California of pop star Michael Jackson on charges of child abuse.

Lawyers must now select eight alternates, who would take the place of any jurors dismissed during trial, at a court in Santa Maria.

Opening statements in the case could begin early as next week.

Mr Jackson denies plying a boy with alcohol and molesting him. The trial could last up to six months.

If convicted, he could face a maximum 21 years in prison.

Swift process

"We have a jury," Superior Court Judge Rodney S Melville announced.

The jurors range in age from 20 to 79.

The racial and ethnic breakdown appeared to be seven whites, four Hispanics and one Asian. There were no African Americans.

Jury selection had been expected to last several weeks, but took only five court days.

The process was interrupted by a one-week break due to the death of a lawyer's sister, and by another week break after Mr Jackson was hospitalised with flu-like symptoms.

Among the jurors was a woman who said her grandson was required to register as a sexual offender because of a crime, the Associated Press reported.