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Jackson judge denies motion to suppress evidence


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SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- The judge in the Michael Jackson child molestation case denied defense motions Thursday to suppress some evidence and a motion to dismiss the case altogether.

Defense attorneys for Jackson wanted the case and the grand jury indictment against the singer thrown out.

Judge Rodney Melville denied the motion.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of child molestation -- including committing a lewd act upon a boy and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

Melville also denied defense motions to suppress some evidence seized at Jackson's Neverland Ranch and at a private investigator's office who had ties to Mark Geragos, Jackson's former lawyer.

However, Melville did order that the prosecution comply with a defense motion to provide the name of an informant it is using in the case.

The defense also requested a review of Jackson's $3 million bail, saying it was too excessive. The judge continued that motion until November 5, which will be the second day of the next hearing in the case.

Melville will also consider a defense motion to recuse Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon from the case when the next hearing begins November 4.

Jackson, 46, was not required to appear in court Thursday and did not attend the hearing.

The trial for Jackson is scheduled to begin January 31. Melville suggested in court Thursday that delaying the start date was not an option.

The judge told Sneddon that at some point the district attorney needed to stop gathering evidence, get organized and prepare for trial.

He also put both sides on notice that they may want to carefully consider more motions and legal wrangling, hinting he may begin excluding new items in the case.

CNN Correspondent Ted Rowlands in Santa Maria contributed to this report.


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