MJ's defense could end soon

Michael Jackson's lawyers predict that the trial could end before July. MJ's trial pictures

The defence in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial could end sooner than expected, the embattled superstar's lawyer indicated on Wednesday.

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Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bail had said last week that the defence phase of the trial that officially got underway on January 31 would take about six weeks, taking it into July.

But attorney Thomas Mesereau told trial Judge Rodney Melville that it was an "overstatement" to say that the defence would continue for several weeks.

When Melville told him that he ought to keep defence witnesses coming as "we still have several weeks to go," Mesereau replied: "I think a number of weeks is an overstatement of the amount of time we'll need here."

Michael Jackson's defence has predicted that his trial could end before July.

But Bain denied media reports and frenetic rumours the defence could rest as early as next week.

Jury selection in the celebrity trial began on January 31 and opening arguments commenced on February 28. The prosecution rested its case in early May.

Jackson's team was expected to call a string of celebrities to defend the star. US talk show host Larry King had been scheduled to appear Thursday but his testimony has been delayed.

Jackson has denied 10 charges including molesting a 13-year-old cancer patient, plying him with alcohol and holding him and his family prisoner in early 2003.