Exclusive: Michael Jackson Will Not Testify, Sources Say

May 19, 2005 — -- Michael Jackson will not testify at his molestation trial, and his defense team expects to rest its case by the first week of June, sources close to the case told ABC News.

Jackson's defense appears to be winding down. Its witness list is down to fewer than 40 and has been cut dramatically from the more than 100 on the list before testimony began in February, sources told ABC News. Jackson, sources said, is one of the witnesses his lawyers have decided to cut from the list, and the defense expects to rest its case in the next few weeks.

Jackson, 46, is on trial for allegedly molesting a now-15-year-old boy who spent time at his Neverland ranch and appeared with him in the 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." He has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

In opening statements, lead Jackson defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. appeared to hint to jurors that "The King of Pop" would testify, twice using the phrase, "Michael will tell you …"

"Michael Jackson will tell you one time at Neverland he got a very bad feeling and intuition," Mesereau said at one point. "Mr. Jackson will tell you he found those kids going through his magazines," he said at another time during his opening statements.

Throughout the trial, sources close to the case repeatedly told ABC News that Jackson would take the stand. However, ABC News has been told, Mesereau has changed his mind and decided not to put the singer on the stand. Some court observers believe that this shows that the defense is confident in its case and does not feel that Jackson's testimony is necessary.

"Things are going well, and they just feel that, why risk it all at this point?" said ABC News legal analyst Dana Cole. "Why prolong the trial? Let's just leave well enough alone and call it a day and get out of Dodge."