Michael Jackson's former attorney, Mark Geragos, has defended the singer at his trial, saying that his practice of sharing his bed with children was "an act of unconditional love".
Geragos gave his testimony at the trial on Friday, after Judge Rodney Melville said the previous day that a warrant would be issued for his arrest if he failed to attend the trial to give evidence.
Geragos, who represented the singer for over a year, said that Mr Jackson had assured him that nothing improper had happened with his accuser.
"What he has consistently said (is that) he didn't do anything, there was nothing untoward, nothing sexual," Geragos said.
Mr Jackson's former lawyer also said that he became suspicious of the family of the singer's accuser.
When asked if he had taken part in a conspiracy to imprison or silence the family of Mr Jackson's accuser, Geragos said: "Absolutely not. I was trying to prevent a crime against my client ... I thought they were going to shake him down"
Mr Jackson agreed to waive attorney-client privilege, that prevents lawyers in California discussing private conversations with their clients, so that Geragos could testify for the defence.
However, Mr Jackson's lead attorney Tom Mesearau later disclosed that the singer had only given a waiver in relation to events before his arrest in November 2003.
Because this limitation restricted cross-examination of the witness, Judge Melville stopped the proceedings and sent the jurors home.
He then ordered Mesereau, prosecutors and Geragos to research the legal issue and submit recommendations on how to proceed with the case.
Mesereau apologised to the court, claiming it was an oversight, after Judge Melville said he had made a "misrepresentation". The trial continues.
