SANTA MARIA: Testimony came to an abrupt and dramatic end in Michael Jackson’s sex abuse trial on Friday after jurors watched a videotape in which the boy at the centre of the case told police for the first time he was given wine and masturbated upon by the pop star.

Jackson’s lawyers, who just hours earlier vowed to call at least four witnesses — including the boy and his mother — in response to the tape huddled instead with the 46-year-old entertainer in a corner of the courtroom when it was over. Lead defence attorney Tom Mesereau then made a surprise announcement Jackson’s team would rest, bringing an unexpected end to the evidence phase of the trial and clearing the way for closing arguments next week. “You have heard all the evidence you’re going to hear in the case,” Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville told the eight-woman, four-man jury before excusing them until Wednesday. The interview with Jackson’s accuser was recorded in July 2003. Jurors saw the 13-year-old near tears as he was questioned by two police detectives. When asked if Jackson had ever touched him in an inappropriate way, the young teen sat silently for 15 seconds before describing a night at Neverland that began with heavy drinking. “He put his hand in my pants,” the boy said in a near whisper. “He started masturbating me. I told him I didn’t want to do that. He kept saying he wants to teach me ... he said that it’s OK, that there’s nothing wrong with it, that it’s natural.” — AFP