Reporter's log: Michael Jackson trial

Pop star Michael Jackson is standing trial for child abuse in the Californian town of Santa Maria. The BBC's Peter Bowes is there and will be reporting throughout the proceedings.

Tuesday 31 May : 1736 local time (0136 BST Wednesday)

Hoards of reporters, camera crews and network "fixers" are descending on Santa Maria.

Court session or no court session, Jackson's supporters still turn out

It feels like they are crashing our party. By the end of the week up to 2,000 journalists are expected to be in town to cover the big finish.

The frenzied media activity that marked the beginning of the trial is once again building up a head of steam.

But it is far, far bigger than anything we have seen before.

TV producers have been working on this for weeks. They have been staking out the best camera angles for shots of the courthouse - and local jails.

The networks are preparing to go into battle to secure interviews with anyone and everyone after the trial - especially the jurors.

Everyone wants to be first. This is the media circus at its worst.

Thursday 26 May : 1715 local time (0115 BST Friday)

Quote of the day: "I'm going to deny the request to bring in evidence of the blemished penis."

It was Judge Melville's ruling on a bid by the prosecution to bring in last-minute evidence that Jordy Chandler, the singer's accuser in 1993, identified a spot or blotch on Jackson's genitalia which was subsequently photographed by the police.

In the dying days of this trial, it was another moment designed to make Jackson squirm.

The judge sounded matter-of-fact in the way in which he dismissed the prosecution's request - but it must have been deeply humiliating for the pop star.

With his parents sitting nearby, the defendant had to endure several minutes of heated legal argument about his private parts.

True to form, he hardly appeared to flinch. We can only imagine his inner pain.

Wednesday 25 May: 1635 local time (0035 BST Thursday)

In public life these days, there always seems to be a very fine between what is real and what is make-believe. In our reality TV world hardly anything happens without it being tinged or tainted by Hollywood.

But then Judge Rodney Melville came along - the no-nonsense guy who banned TV cameras and imposed strict rules on the media at the trial of Michael Jackson.

Presumably, he did not want it to become another OJ circus. At least, not inside the courtroom.

He has done everything in his power to maintain the integrity of the Santa Barbara Superior Court. Or has he?

Within hours of Jay Leno testifying, the comedian was back on TV poking fun at the trial. On his late night show he joked that he had stolen the judge's hammer - or gavel - as a "souvenir."

Hours later, back in the real world, Judge Melville took to the bench for the next day in court.

With a smile on his face, he asked: "Has anyone seen my gavel?" Even some of the jurors laughed. It was a great line from Melville - but was it appropriate?

Meanwhile: Michael Jackson's child molestation trial has moved into its final stages.

The defence has rested and we have moved on to the rebuttal phase.

Late today, we learned that the prosecution wants to show the jury a DVD of Michael Jackson's accuser, Gavin Arvizo, being interviewed by the police about his allegations.

If that happens, there is a possibility the defence may be allowed to bring the teenager back to the witness stand.

It would be the ultimate big finish - Michael Jackson once again face-to-face with his accuser.

Tuesday 25 May: 1845 local time (0245 BST Wednesday)

The courtroom was packed. Not a spare seat to be had.

Jay Leno plonked himself down at the back of the room - next to the sheriffs officers and Michael's body guard.

We all strained our necks to have a look. Yes, it really was Jay. America's most popular late night comedian was in the house and - not for the first time at this trial - the air was buzzing with excitement.

Would he crack a joke? The courtroom sketch artists immediately started scribbling on their pads.

Curiously, as Leno made his way up to the witness stand - walking directly in front of the jurors - their faces remained dead pan. Assuming the panel is following the judge's instructions not to watch the news or read the papers, they had no idea that the Tonight Show host was appearing as the day's first witness.

But this jury is used to the hoopla. They know better than to appear impressed by yet another celebrity. After all, they have been living with Michael Jackson for the past three months.

Leno was mostly serious. At one point he rolled his eyes as Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, persisted with a line of questing.

But the chat show host raised a few laughs and couldn't resist slipping in a promo.

"We have Renee Zellweger on the show tonight," he said, as a parting shot to the courtroom.

Sunday 22 May: 0945 local time (1745 BST)

As we enter what is likely to be the final week of testimony, one lingering question remains: will Michael Jackson appear on the witness stand?

"It looks now unlikely," says Loyola University Law Professor Laurie Levenson, who is attending the trial. "But I do believe that's a decision they'll make at the last minute."

Opinions are divided, but most legal experts reckon it would be an act of suicide.

"I think it's highly risky," says Ms Levenson. "Michael Jackson can give a good appearance but it's usually when he's in control of things - when he's got his videographers and his people writing the script."

Despite US media reports that the defence has already made its decision, Mr Jackson's spokeswoman has emphatically refused to rule it out. "It's up to Mr Mesereau," Raymone Bain tells us on a daily basis.

It would, of course, be the ultimate showdown.

The media would revel in it.

However, I understand the singer would not be cross-examined by his arch nemesis, the Santa Barbara District Attorney, Tom Sneddon.

The task would be handed to senior prosecutor Ron Zonen, who has emerged as a star performer during the trial.

His withering cross examination of Hollywood choreographer Wade Robson had the courtroom spellbound. Michael would be walking into the lion's den.

Saturday 21 May: 1215 local time (2015 BST)

The trial is hurtling towards the finish line. Much sooner than predicted, the defence may wrap up its case as early as next Tuesday.

No-one here is sorry to hear that. "It's really beginning to get to me," said a US colleague, the other day.

The media here has hardly been salivating over the prospect of a long hot summer and a parade of defence witnesses - no matter how famous.

But now that the end is in sight, there is a renewed excitement about the days ahead. I have made much of soap opera analogies over the past few months and as we contemplate the verdict there is a genuine sense of a cliff-hanger.

California juries are notoriously unpredictable - but more of that another day.

The final big name witnesses are likely to be the talk show host, Jay Leno, and the Rush Hour star, Chris Tucker. Not exactly international superstars but glitzy enough to keep the show on the road for a few more days.

Wednesday 18 May: 2211 local time (0611 BST Thursday)

The end is in sight. Everyone seems to agree that this case will be over sooner rather than later.

Despite recent dire warnings that the defence could take up 10 weeks to present its case, we could now be looking at getting a verdict next month.

At one stage today, there were reports that Michael Jackson's lawyers could wrap up by mid-way through next week. There was much excitement and trepidation at the prospect.

It now appears that was overly optimistic although the trial is definitely on a fast track. The judge has made a number of rulings that mean the defence will call far fewer witnesses.

They probably have about 40 people left and it is unlikely that any of them will be major Hollywood stars. Both sides have been told no "character witnesses" can be called - which effectively rules out all Mr Jackson's celebrity pals.

Alas, no Liz Taylor, Stevie Wonder or Diana Ross - although I am assured that US talk show host Larry King will be the first witness on the stand on Thursday.

Monday 16 May: 2202 local time (0602 BST Tuesday)

The idea that Michael Jackson's fate could depend on whether his teenage accuser's mum had a leg wax, is faintly ridiculous.

But Janet Arvizo's trip to a beauty salon has become a pivotal issue in the trial.

When the unpredictable Ms Arvizo appeared on the witness stand she stuck rigidly to her story that her waxing session, paid for by Mr Jackson, consisted of a legs-only treatment.

Now, the court has seen the receipt and heard from the beautician who testified that Janet had the full works - a head-to-toe waxing that cost $140 and covered brow, lips, bikini and legs.

But what does it matter? Maybe it is a point of detail that anyone could get muddled, although I'm told women never forget their first bikini waxing experience.

Janet Arvizo does seem to have been caught telling a big whopper. And if she can lie about something so trivial, what else? Not only that - at the time, she was supposedly being held captive by Mr Jackson and his cronies. It doesn't add up.

Thursday 12 May: 1749 local time (0149 BST Friday)

When the judge took to the bench today he referred to some "special treats" that the jurors had been enjoying this week.

"Pretty good," he said. There were smiles all 'round.

The rest of us were left in the dark as to what he was talking about.

I later discovered that the over-worked and undernourished jury had been given some culinary treats as part of California's "jury appreciation week".

This jury deserves it more than most. Their daily schedule includes two 10-minute breaks and only 15 minutes for "lunch".

At the beginning of the trial Judge Melville joked that the regime, which he dubbed the Melville Diet, would help everyone lose weight.

These were the treats: Monday - doughnuts and orange juice. Tuesday - fruit bowl. Wednesday - chips and salsa. Thursday - carrot cake. Friday - submarine sandwich.

Wednesday 11 May: 2048 local time (0448 BST)

Not a spare seat in the house.

A few minutes before today's session got under way, the bailiff reminded the audience - as the judge often describes the public and press gallery - that the courtroom is not a theatre.

She is right, but it is hard to accept on days like this. There was more than the usual whiff of excitement in the air.

Actor Macaulay Culkin leaves the courthouse on Wednesday

Then, from Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, the words we had been waiting for: "We call Macaulay Culkin."

And with that, the Home Alone star, still looking like he is 12, finally made his much anticipated appearance on the witness stand.

Initially, he seemed nervous. His voice cracked slightly as he said and spelled out his name for the court reporter. But he did a good job for his pal, Michael.

No, he was never molested - in fact, to suggest anything inappropriate ever went on between him and the singer was "absolutely ridiculous".

No surprise really. He has said as much before on TV. But unlike last week, when Hollywood choreographer Wade Robson was given a courtroom mauling by the prosecution, Macaulay stood his ground.

He came over as honest and forthcoming about his long, innocent friendship with the pop star. The jury was attentive but did not appear to be star-struck by the boy from Hollywood.

Most of them remained stony-faced throughout his hour-and-a- half on the witness stand. It was, I think, a good day for Michael Jackson.

Monday 9 May: 1532 local time (2332 BST)

There was a collective sinking of hearts a few minutes ago when Michael Jackson's spokeswoman told reporters the defence could take more than two months to present its case.

Bain (left) said the defence could take months to present its case

There had been a feeling that the trial was picking up pace, with the singer's lawyers expected to take less time than the prosecution to put its side of the story.

But according to Raymone Bain, speaking outside the court, Jackson's lead attorney Thomas Mesereau is in it for the long haul.

"When I asked him last week based on some of your enquiries he said it could go eight weeks. Maybe 10," she said.

The assembled press corps groaned with disbelief. "Damn you," said one of my colleagues. Another just let out a despairing sigh.

Ms Bain also revealed that Michael Jackson is "very physically tired". She said the singer's back was causing him problems and that he had been uncomfortable in the courtroom.

"During the break he was not up to snuff as he has been. The back is not doing too well today."

She said the trial was "taking its toll" but the singer's spirits were "good".

Friday 6 May: 1548 local time (2348 BST)

The roller coaster continues.

Michael Jackson's lawyers are now in the driving seat, but it is the prosecution team that seems to have the upper hand.

Bizarrely, the defence witnesses are not sounding helpful to the singer's cause.

It's not that they want to harm the pop star - quite the opposite - but simply by telling the truth about their strange friend, they are helping the prosecutors score points.

Witness Marie Barnes denied her son Brett had been molested

Two alleged victims and their mothers have both testified that Michael Jackson has slept with young boys on hundreds of occasions since the early 1990s.

The court was left with the impression that wherever the singer goes, he has a pre-pubescent boy in tow.

Their parents appear to have no qualms about allowing their kids share the bed of a middle-aged man, with whom they have no family connection.

They were all given gifts and trips around the world.

The boys and their mums all insist nothing bad ever happened - but their stories have left many courtroom observers feeling deeply disturbed by the "creepy" lifestyle of Michael Jackson.

Much has been said about the possibility of Macaulay Culkin appearing at the trial next week as a defence witness.

The word now, after the withering cross-examination of other defence witnesses, is that the young actor may opt to remain home alone instead.

Wednesday 4 May: 2042 local time (0442 BST Thursday)

The prosecution case ended with a whimper rather than a bang.

The last witness failed to deliver although he was hampered by the judge who imposed restrictions on the line of questioning.

Music producer Rudy Provencio was the final prosecution witness

We managed to glean from Rudy Provencio, a record producer, that Michael Jackson goes by the nick name of Arnold and the pop star calls money, French Fries.

Provencio, who said he thought something "fishy" had been going on, came across as likeable and honest but he had little of substance to say.

His trivial revelations hardly added up to a conspiracy worthy of a decade in jail for the defendant.

There was no bombshell testimony about Michael Jackson ordering his side-kicks to send the Arvizo family on a one-way ticket to Brazil.

It is therefore little wonder that the defence is now asking the judge to kick the conspiracy charge out of court.

Tuesday 3 May: 1942 local time (0342 BST Wednesday)

Michael Jackson has two voices. The story has been around for years, but now the jury has been told.

This little nugget of trivia was revealed by the man we believe is the prosecution's final witness - music producer Rudy Provencio.

Which voice will Michael Jackson use if he gives evidence?

He is quite a character. Clearly nervous on the witness stand, he is bubbly and fast-talking.

As a former close associate of the singer he appears to know a lot about the private world of Michael Jackson.

He used to work in an office with a colleague who had a habit of putting Michael on a speaker phone when he called in. They were all working on a charity record together.

According to Rudy, the singer's voice was instantly recognisable.

"Michael Jackson's voice is the most distinctive in the world," he said. "Unless he's upset and uses the other voice."

Jackson usually sticks to his familiar high pitched tone - but apparently he can easily switch to a deep, manly voice.

If the day ever comes, I wonder which one he will use on the witness stand.