Report: Jackson and accuser’s prints found on pornography

Santa Barbara, Calif. (ap) — Fingerprints belonging to both Michael Jackson and the boy accusing him of child molestation were found on pornographic magazines seized from Jackson’s Neverland ranch last year, the Santa Barbara News-Press reported Saturday, citing sources it did not identify.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Chris Pappas did not immediately return a call Saturday from The Associated Press. Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau declined to comment. Both sides in the case are prohibited by a court-imposed gag order from discussing the case.

If the reported evidence is admitted during Jackson’s trial, prosecutors would be expected to argue that the fingerprints were proof that Jackson showed the boy pornographic literature before molesting him. But the defense could question whether the entertainer knew the boy had been leafing through the magazines.

According to the newspaper, the boy and his brother often visited Neverland when Jackson wasn’t home.

The newspaper did not describe the magazines’ contents except to say they contained pornography.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville is expected to decide next month what evidence can be admitted at trial, scheduled to begin Jan. 31.

Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, to his alleged victim, a 12-year-old cancer survivor, at Neverland in February and March 2003.

Investigators most recently searched Jackson’s Neverland home on Dec. 3 and 4, and on Dec. 4 the entertainer voluntarily gave them a DNA sample at their request. Investigators first searched the home on Nov. 18, 2003, shortly before Jackson was charged.

Trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 31.

Moore lobbies for award

Los Angeles — Filmmaker Michael Moore is back on the campaign trail trolling for votes — this time, for the People’s Choice Awards.

His documentary “Fahrenheit 9/11” — an unlikely summer blockbuster — was one of the films selected in the “favorite movie” category of the annual populist prize ceremony. On Thursday he posted a letter on his Web site to mobilize fans to cast their ballots for the film.

Moore said he was inspired to make his appeal after a group of leading Republicans took out ads in USA Today and Daily Variety that he said included “a not-so-subtle threat to the Academy Awards voters that, in essence, said don’t even THINK about nominating ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ for Best Picture.”

Moore said the People’s Choice nomination proved the message of his film still resonated with people across the country, even though President Bush won re-election.

Pepper channels sports icons

Charlotte, N.C. — While portraying baseball great Roger Maris, actor Barry Pepper learned the importance of capturing the character. Anything short of authentic doesn’t sit very well with fans.

So when it came to portraying Dale Earnhardt, perhaps the most revered man in NASCAR history, Pepper knew he had his work cut out for him.

“(Earnhardt) is an American legend, and that is always thin ice,” Pepper said. “And the similarities between Earnhardt and Maris … they had extraordinary fan bases. You knew you were dealing with a very fervent opinion of who the man was, so if you strayed too far from that or didn’t do your homework, you were going to hear about it.”

Pepper, nominated for an Emmy for his portrayal of Maris in the TV movie “61*,” plays Earnhardt from ages 16 to 49 in the ESPN biopic “3,” directed by Russell Mulcahy, which aired Saturday.

Verdi’s house up for sale

Rome — Calling all opera lovers with a few spare millions: The house where Giuseppe Verdi wrote “Rigoletto” is up for sale.

Saba Sabadini Orlandi, the house’s owner, put an ad in the Financial Times newspaper advertising the sale. Despite the colorful Italian-tinged grammar, the message was clear: “We sell in the historical centre of Busseto … unique palazzo — 18th Century — belonged to Giuseppe Verdi.”

The asking price for the house in Busseto, near Parma, is about $6.6 million, Sabadini Orlandi said. Whoever buys it will probably have to spend another $3.3 million to renovate it.

The owner said she decided to sell the palazzo because she didn’t have the money to fix it up and was unable to secure outside funds.

Five-card stud with Pam

New York — Pamela Anderson wins with a full house.

In an online survey conducted by EmpirePoker.com, 42 percent of the Web site’s VIPs selected model-actress Anderson as the celebrity they would most like to play against.

“Our players clearly think Pamela Anderson isn’t too bright or maybe they just want to ogle her,” said Ron Burke, EmpirePoker.com’s marketing manager.

Dennis Rodman was a distant second with 24 percent, James Woods shuffled 13 percent, Dave Navarro was picked by 10 percent, skateboarder Tony Hawk and Matt Damon each drew 3 percent, Donald Trump was selected by 2 percent, and 1 percent said Ben Affleck. Hank Azaria, Michael Ian Black, Ron Artest, Clay Aiken and Teri Hatcher also picked up votes.