Pop singer Michael Jackson is due to appear in a California court today for his arraignment on child molestation charges.
Hoards of journalists, fans, activists and onlookers are expected to assemble at the court buildings in Santa Maria.
Jackson (45) is scheduled to appear at 4.30 p.m. Irish time before Judge Rodney Melville. He is accused of engaging in lewd acts with the unnamed boy on seven occasions between February 7th and March 20th, 2003.
He also is charged with two counts of giving the boy "an intoxicating agent" - reportedly wine - to assist him with the alleged molestations.
Jackson, prosecuting and defence lawyers and others involved in the case are expected to enter the building, their path protected by metal barricades on both sides, the Santa Maria Times reported yesterday.
As many as 1,000 spectators, reporters and photographers are expected to crowd the space outside the barricades.
About 60 of the 122 seats in the arraignment courtroom will be available to the general public, according to Mr Darrel Parker, assistant trial courts executive officer.
The mother of Jackson's two oldest children has revealed that they are Jewish by birth. Ms Debbie Rowe, Jackson's former wife and former nurse, alleged to have been paid to have the children, is reportedly concerned that members of the Nation of Islam, a black separatist organisation which is handling some of the pop star's security arrangements, may try to convert them.
According to Fox News, Ms Rowe has told friends she does not want the children "exposed" to members of the organisation.
The children, Prince Michael (6) and daughter Paris (5), are believed to be living in a safe house in Beverly Hills, guarded by Nation of Islam security staff.
Jackson, who is not a member of the group, is also living with his baby, named Prince Michael II, whose mother is unknown to the public. - (Irish Times/PA)