Six Degrees of Michael Jackson

Apparently, the majority of the potential jurors in Michael Jackson's child-molestation trial have not been living under the proverbial rock.

According to the 243 jury questionnaires released on Wednesday, almost nine out of 10 potential jurors have read or watched news reports pertaining to the charges against the embattled entertainer.

In addition, about one in seven of the prospective jurors admitted to having a personal tie to Jackson; in some cases, a friend or family member who is acquainted with the popster or has visited Neverland Ranch.

One woman said that one of her sons used to work at Jackson's abode, while her 15-year-old son used to visit Neverland to "ride and hang out."

Another woman copped to the fact that her "niece-in-law's sister has dated Ely, Michael's cousin, and we have attended family functions with Ely."

"My disabled daughter was allowed to go to Neverland, but Mr. Jackson was not present during her school visit," another woman wrote.

A 70-year-old respondent wrote, "His uncle is a personal friend."

"I went to Neverland w/ special ed for my sch. dist.," a schoolteacher wrote.

One man said he was friends with one of Jackson's cousins, while another man said he worked with a firefighter employed part-time at Neverland.

Some 60 percent of the potential jurors were also aware of the 1993 investigation against Jackson on similar charges of child molestation that resulted in a multimillion-dollar out-of-court settlement. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville has not yet ruled as to whether information from that case will be allowed into the courtroom.

Jackson's potential peers were asked whether they or anyone close to them had ever been a victim of sexual abuse. Over 80 percent of the respondents replied in the negative. They were also asked if they, their relatives or anyone else close to them had ever been diagnosed with cancer. Jackson's accuser, now 15, was being treated for cancer when the alleged incidents of abuse are said to have taken place.

Other jurors admitted to having strong opinions that could affect their judgment.

One woman wrote that she had a "fear of someone taking advantage of my handicapped daughter and/or [an] innocent child."

Another prospective juror simply wrote, "I don't think kids would lie."

The questionnaires were reportedly designed to weed out any Jackson friends, fans or fanatics who might try to sway the verdict in the Moonwalker's favor.

Attorneys had planned to continue questioning potential jurors on Monday, but the screening session was pushed back a week following the death of lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau's sister.

Melville has ordered all prospective jurors to avoid any news reports on Jackson, meaning they won't be catching Corey Feldman's 20/20 interview Friday with ABC's Martin Bashir, whose documentary, Living with Michael Jackson, touched off the investigation that led to the molestation charges, or Bashir's Michael Jackson's Secret World, a follow-up documentary set to air next Thursday on ABC.

Meanwhile, in a separate hearing, an appeals court deciding whether to lift some of the secrecy shrouding the case questioned lawyers about how best to balance Jackson's right to a fair trial with the public's right to know whether justice is being served.

Media attorney Theodore Boutrous, who represents 10 news organizations covering the case, argued Wednesday for the release of a bonanza of sealed documents, including Jackson's grand jury indictment and several search warrants, including the one that touched off the infamous November 2003 raid on Neverland that ultimately resulted in a 10-count indictment against the popster.

Boutrous claimed that close screening of potential jurors would ensure that no one with strong biases against Jackson wound up serving on his jury.

Jackson attorney Robert Sanger said the Gloved One wasn't looking for special treatment, but that his right to a fair trial could be compromised if some of the sealed information was released before a jury is seated.

Melville has said he intends to release the documents once the jury is selected, a process that could take several weeks.

Santa Barbara County's attorney, Steve Underwood, defended the judge, saying he had released as many documents as possible while attempting to protect the integrity of the case.