Jurors in Michael Jackson's sex-abuse trial were due back in court today for a fifth day of deliberations only hours after the pop star returned home from another trip to the hospital.
The popstar's spokeswoman said in a written statement that Jackson (46) went to Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital for "routine treatment" of back spasms that have pained him throughout the four-month trial.
The singer's black sport utility vehicle, its headlights turned off and his bodyguard at the wheel, raced past reporters and out of the hospital this morning. A black curtain obscured the back seat.
Jackson, who is awaiting a verdict that could clear him of child molestation charges or send him to prison for nearly 20 years, has made five visits to the hospital during his trial and two since jurors began deliberating.
Today, the eight women and four men on the jury, who have spent 20 hours considering the charges against Jackson, were expected to work a short day because at least one had to attend school graduation ceremonies.
The panel is required to deliberate until they reach verdicts on all 10 criminal counts against Jackson or become deadlocked and are declared a hung jury by Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville.
Jackson, who has pleaded innocent, faces nearly 20 years in prison if convicted on all 10 counts.
The bitter, four-month court fight has left many fans camped outside court nursing a grudge against the assembled media for what they see as unfair coverage of the superstar.