Michael Jackson returns to courtroom

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Michael Jackson returned to court Tuesday after a week’s delay and the judge assured prospective jurors that the singer really had been ill and there was no plot to put off his child molestation trial.

Jackson chatted with his attorneys at the defense table before questioning of prospective jurors started.

Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney S. Melville told prospective jurors that he understood their frustrations over “a couple of false starts.” He referred to Jackson’s illness, which closed down jury selection for a week, and an earlier delay caused by the death of defense attorney Thomas Mesereau’s sister.