Lions, other animals crawl into Jackson trial

Lions, monkeys and a number of animals have crawled into Michael Jackson’s trial, leaving court-watchers baffled as to just what they have to do with charges he fondled a young boy.

The latest beast that crept into testimony was a lion from the private zoo at Jacskon’s sprawling fantasy-themed Neverland estate, 50 kilometres from the Santa Maria, California courtroom where the star is on trial.

Wade Robson, 23, admitted a few days ago that when he was a young boy visiting the ranch he and the “King of Pop” would hurl stones at the lion’s cage. “We wanted to see the lion roar because he was just sitting there not doing anything,” the young Australian told jurors. Prosecutors and defense attorneys argued over whether the pair had hurled “rocks” or “pebbles” and whether the projectiles were thrown at the lion or only at his cage. Jurors appeared bemused by the exchange, but some might well have heaved a sigh of relief when they heard that the world’s most famous entertainer meant the lion no harm.