MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON BIOGRAPHER: 'DEFENCE TEAM STRUGGLED WITH NEW ACCUSER'

LATEST: MICHAEL JACKSON's biographer J RANDY TARABORRELLI fears the jury in the pop superstar's child molestation case has dramatically swung away from favouring the singer after the tearful testimony of his former housekeeper's son.

The writer was in court in Santa Maria, California, yesterday (04APR05) when the distraught 24-year-old, a local youth pastor, recalled how Jackson fondled him on three different occasions more than 10 years ago.

He told the court that Jackson paid him a hefty settlement afterwards not to tell his mother. And Taraborrelli admits the new accuser's testimony was a big bonus for the prosecution.

He says, "It was difficult to sit through. This young man broke down on the witness stand and the trial had to be interrupted for a moment while he composed himself.

"I think it was the kind of testimony that the prosecution probably wished they had got from the actual accuser in this case."

Taraborrelli reveals the pastor's testimony was a shock to Jackson and his parents, who were sitting close to him in the courtroom.

He adds, "At one point Michael began shaking his head vigorously as if he was completely disagreeing with this young man's recollection of events. (His parents) were also shaking their heads.

"The defence team was really very obviously unhappy about this testimony."