Michael Jackson in court to face £14m lawsuit

SANTA BARBARA, California (Law Cases Website) - Michael Jackson has taken the witness stand in a �14 million lawsuit by his promoter that accuses the singer of backing out of two millennium eve concerts.

Jackson spoke softly while testifying, saying yes or no or asking for questions to be repeated. He paused frequently when asked about his business relationship with the plaintiff, concert promoter Marcel Avram.

The German-based promoter alleges he was left with hundreds of thousands of dollars in expenses after Jackson dropped out of the performances.

Jackson wore a red shirt, sported shoulder-length hair and wore a surgical mask when entering and leaving the courtroom. The singer routinely wears a mask to protect his throat from pollution and germs, said Lee Solters, his former publicist.
About 100 cheering fans greeted the performer outside Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Some held signs reading "Free Michael".
Avram's suit claims Jackson agreed to perform at two concerts for charity and the two millennium concerts, but only did the charity shows. The suit contends Jackson was paid a �670,000 advance and had debts totaling �800,000 covered.

Jackson's attorney, Zia Modabber, said in his opening remarks that it was Avram who postponed the concerts when he met Jackson's representatives in October 1999.

Modabber said Avram, who had agreed to pay Jackson �10 million, realised the shows would not be as profitable as he had hoped.

Avram's attorney Louis Miller said in his opening statement that the promoter had no motive to cancel the concerts. He had agreed to cover expenses for the benefit shows with the understanding that he would recoup his costs from the New Year's Eve concerts.

Jackson, who spent three hours on the witness stand on Wednesday, is expected to return for more questioning on Thursday.