Michael Jackson’s lawyers have filed a motion to have the SANTA BARBARA COUNTY district attorney’s office removed from the star’s child molestation case, though reasons for the request are being kept secret.
Sealing the motion – which was filed yesterday (October 4) – was necessary according to lawyer Robert Sanger because the contents include exhibits and identities of witnesses.
According to BBC News, motions to remove a district attorney from a case often are based on claims of personal involvement and conflict of interest.
Criminal defence attorney Steve Cron however, said that it would be “highly unusual” for a judge to take the whole district attorney’s office off a case.
Michael Jackson has pleaded not guilty to ten child abuse charges and is due to stand trial on January 31.
Much of the proceedings have been kept a secret by Santa Maria Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville and the motion was one of several filed under seal by Sanger.