Security tight for Jackson arraignment
Friday's appearance in court promises to draw crowds
 |  Michael Jackson stands on top of his SUV after his arraignment in January. |
| |
|  VIDEO |
 CNN analyst Jeffrey Toobin discusses the ramifications of Jackson replacing his defense team.
|
|
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- As officials in the town of Santa Maria coordinate security plans for pop star Michael Jackson's court appearance Friday, the singer's legal team decided to revise its security as well by replacing the Nation of Islam with a private firm, a source familiar with the defense said.
The organization, which provided security for Jackson's entourage at his arraignment in January, has been replaced by a private security firm that will maintain a "low-key" appearance, the source said.
The latest change was made by Jackson's reconfigured legal team, the source said, which is now headed by attorney Thomas Mesereau.
Security will be tight at the Santa Barbara County courthouse in Santa Maria when the entertainer arrives early Friday morning to hear the charges a grand jury returned in a sealed indictment against him last Wednesday.
The grand jury was investigating nine felony charges brought against Jackson -- seven felony counts of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 and two counts of giving the child an intoxicating agent. The singer pleaded not guilty to those counts in an initial arraignment in January.
Friday's court session -- in effect a second arraignment -- promises to draw crowds much like those that thronged the street outside Santa Barbara County Superior Court in January.
A statement on Jackson's Web site promises that free buses will be provided for fans wishing to travel to the courthouse, in what is billed as the "Keep the Faith Caravan."
The Santa Maria Police Department, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department and Santa Barbara Superior Court are coordinating security for what is expected to be a massive crowd.
"We have an enhanced security plan," said Darrel Parker, Santa Barbara County Superior Court assistant executive officer.
"That will include some passive restraints and visual deterrents: There will be about 900 feet of 6-foot-high fencing and double barricades to create a buffer between the crowds and the defendant."
Parker said approximately 40 members of the Santa Maria Police Department and 50 sheriff's deputies will be on hand.
The latest shake-up in the Jackson camp followed Sunday's announcement that the entertainer had replaced both his lead attorneys, Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman. (Full story)
Brafman said he and Geragos had "stepped down" from Jackson's defense team over "complicated issues" he would not detail.
In a statement released Monday, Jackson said he personally decided to terminate their services and declared that the lawyers who now represent him in the case must devote their "full attention" to his defense.
"It is imperative that I have the full attention of those who are representing me. My life is at stake. Therefore, I must feel confident that my interests are of the highest priority," Jackson's statement said.
"I am innocent of these false charges and will aggressively seek to clear my name. I feel very confident that when I am able to defend myself, I will be exonerated by a jury of my peers."
Mesereau will accompany Jackson in court Friday, along with attorneys Steve Cochran and Robert Sanger of the original defense team, a source familiar with the case said.
