Jackson judge shuns King evidence

CNN's Larry King was due to testify in Michael Jackson's favour

CNN talk show host Larry King, who was due to testify at the abuse trial of pop singer Michael Jackson, has been turned away by the judge.

Judge Rodney Melville ruled his testimony was not relevant.

Mr King had been expected to say that a lawyer who represented the family of Michael Jackson's accuser had expressed doubts about their credibility.

Mr Jackson is on trial over allegations he molested 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo. He denies all 10 charges against him.

Judge Melville made the ruling after listening to Mr King's account of a conversation with lawyer Larry Feldman, the Associated Press news agency reports.

Without the jury present, Mr King said the attorney told him the accuser's mother was out for money.

Mr King said he spoke to Mr Feldman before the trial began to try to convince him to appear on his show Larry King Live.

He said Mr Feldman told him he did not take Janet Arvizo's case because he did not find her credible.

"He just said she is a whacko. He said she is in it for the money," he told the court about his conversation with the lawyer.

Mr Feldman testified earlier for the prosecution and denied saying such things about his clients, AP reports.

Larry King has regularly examined the Jackson abuse case on his CNN talk show.

Porn allegations

On Wednesday, Mr Jackson's 12-year-old cousin said he saw Gavin Arvizo watch pornography and touch himself at the pop star's ranch.

Rijo Jackson said he was staying at his famous cousin's ranch when he saw the incident.

Correspondents said his testimony was an attempt to show that Gavin Arvizo was already sexually aware.