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Michael Jackson defense may call Elizabeth Taylor, Kobe Bryant

Pop singer Michael Jackson waves as he and his attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., leave the courtroom in California. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press
Pop singer Michael Jackson waves as he and his attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., leave the courtroom in California. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SANTA MARIA, Calif. – Michael Jackson’s lawyers said Monday they may call celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross and Kobe Bryant to the witness stand during the pop star’s molestation trial.

The list of possible witnesses includes “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno, producer Quincy Jones, actor Chris Tucker and singer Stevie Wonder, along with Taylor, Ross and Bryant.

Names of possible witnesses were revealed to prospective jurors so attorneys could find out if any of the more than 240 members of the jury pool had associations that may be important in selecting a jury. But the judge advised the pool that some of the big names may be no-shows.

Attorneys are in the process of selecting 12 jurors and eight alternates who will decide Jackson’s fate on charges that he molested a teenage cancer patient at his Neverland Ranch and plied him with alcohol.