Jackson will not testify at trial

Michael Jackson will be spared questioning in court

Michael Jackson will not be called to testify in his own defence at his child abuse trial, defence lawyers have told the court in Santa Maria, California.

Actor Chris Tucker was the last of 50 defence witnesses when he began his testimony on Tuesday, following TV host Jay Leno's apperance.

Lawyers will continue questioning Mr Tucker, who starred alongside Jackie Chan in Rush Hour, on Wednesday.

Mr Jackson denies charges of child abuse and conspiracy to kidnap.

He is accused of molesting Gavin Arvizo, then 13, plying him with alcohol, and conspiring to hold the family against their will to force them to speak out in his defence.

The decision spares the 46-year-old singer from being probed about his personal life in the courtroom. He refused to comment as he left the court.

Jay Leno joked about the case on his show on Tuesday

Voicemail messages

Mr Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau, made the announcement after Jay Leno's testimony.

Mr Leno said he grew suspicious of Garvin Arvizo when he began receiving repeated voicemail messages from the boy in 2000.

He said the boy left so many messages that he finally approached comedian Louise Palanker, a friend who knew Gavin.

Mr Leno recalled: "I said, 'What's the story here? This doesn't sound like a 12-year-old. This seems a little scripted'."

He said Ms Palanker told him the boy wanted to be a comedian and had written out everything he said.

But Mr Leno said Gavin's family had never asked him for money, although he did send him souvenirs from his Tonight Show and a photograph.

Mr Leno also used the courtroom to plug his TV show: "We have Renee Zellweger on the show tonight."

The presenter has ridiculed the Jackson case on his nightly show, and after his appearance continued making jokes on Tuesday evening's edition.

'Medical expenses'

Actor Chris Tucker said he met Mr Jackson's accuser at a comedy club after the boy's father introduced himself and asked him to play a benefit show.

Mr Tucker said Gavin had called him to say the show had not raised any money, so he sent him "probably $1,500 (£821) or more" to a foundation in the family's name.

Mr Mesereau asked Mr Tucker if he believed the money was for medical expenses.

"I was hoping it was for that," Mr Tucker replied, adding he also took the boy's family to amusement parks and a shopping mall.

Mr Tucker will continue giving evidence on Wednesday.