MARTIN BASHIR was yesterday [Tuesday] warned that he could face contempt of court charges and be thrown into jail after refusing to answer questions during the second day of Michael Jackson�s trial.
If the British television presenter is found in contempt, all his comments on the witness stand, as well as his controversial 2003 documentary about Mr Jackson, could be struck from the court record.
That could deliver a severe blow to the prosecution�s case, which is based heavily on Mr Bashir�s 100-minute film. As the first evidence to be presented to the jury, the documentary was thought to be the prosecution�s strongest card.
The battle over Mr Bashir�s right to not answer questions began as soon as the short, unassuming journalist entered the Santa Maria courtroom where Mr Jackson is on trial for child abuse, extortion and abduction. The dispute turned into open warfare, however, after Mr Bashir�s documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, was shown to the jury. That was when cross-examination began of Mr Bashir, a former BBC journalist who now works for America�s ABC News.
Details here from London's timesonline.