Jacko sacks lawyers

Michael Jackson sacked his legal team last night days before his appearance in court on child abuse charges.

Top Los Angeles lawyers Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman confirmed that they were being replaced as the superstar prepares to answer seven counts of molesting a 13-yearold boy.

His new lawyer will be Thomas Mesereau Jr., who represented actor Robert Blake in his murder case until they parted ways recently.

Jackson was not available for comment last night, but it is thought that the growing influence of the Nation of Islam black rights group on him could be a factor in the switch.

Whatever the reasons, the move is bound to throw the defence into disarray.

The singer is scheduled for a court appearance in Santa Maria, California, on Friday after being indicted by a grand jury last week.

He will formally deny charges of 'lewd and lascivious behaviour with a minor'.

There are also charges of plying a child with alcohol. A trial date in

December could be set at the Friday hearing.

Jackson could face a long prison term if found guilty. He was arrested in November after police raids on his ranch. He is free on £1.7million bail and has surrendered his passport.

The sacking of the legal team marks the latest twist in the infighting that has dogged the defence camp.

Last December, Stuart Backerman, Jackson's chief spokesman, resigned over 'strategic differences' with other members.

Geragos, a £3,000 an hour Hollywood 'super' lawyer, has been at Jackson's side since the child abuse claims first surfaced nearly a year ago, but has faced growing criticism over taking on too many celebrity cases. He has been juggling Jackson's case with the California trial of Scott Peterson, who is accused of killing his wife and unborn child.

The permatanned 46-year-old drives a Porsche 911, wears Italian suits with tassled shoes and is rarely seen without his Aviator sunglasses.