Similar transactions

Although this web site is devoted to the David Milgaard Inquiry, I am also interested in other trials that may relate to wrongful convictions. At the moment, I am carefully following the Michael Jackson case.

Last night, I was shocked to hear that prior allegations of abuse will be considered admissible in court. These are accusations, not convictions! But they fall under the category of "similar transactions" or "past bad acts." Many American States, including California, allows these previous allegations to be heard in trial. This seems highly unconstitutional to me.

In this particular instance, however, permitting such testimony may actually backfire on the prosecution. Some of the young witnesses who will come forward now will not be accusers; they will be on Jackson's side. For example, Macauley Culkin has publicly stated that he spent several years with Jackson, and nothing out of the ordinary ever occurred. Culken admitted to sleeping in Jackson's bedroom but he said "you've got to realize that Michael Jackson's bedroom is two stories high!"

We shall see where this new development will lead the circus of the Jackson trial.