Understatement of the Day Award

Goes to Court TV
Michael Jackson failed to show up in court this morning. His liar - I mean lawyer - said he was at the hospital for a serious back problem.

from E!Online

Defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. said Jackson was being treated for a "serious back problem" at Cottage Hospital in nearby Santa Ynez.

"My understanding is that he does plan to come in," Mesereau said.

The excuse wasn't good enough for Melville, who cut Mesereau off, and issued a warrant for Jackson's arrest. He also announced he was forfeiting the entertainer's $3 million bail.

The judge put his order on hold for one hour--or until about 9:35 a.m. At 9:38 a.m., Jackson and his entourage, including parents Joseph and Katherine, arrived at the courthouse. He was moving slowly and wearing speckled blue pajama bottoms.


"He looks pale, but he always looks pale," an anchor observed on Court TV.

http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,16094,00.html?tnews