Katherine Jackson flies back to America to testify in elder abuse case

Katherine Jackson is flying back to America to testify as part of her elder abuse case against her nephew Trent.
The 86-year-old mother of the late Michael Jackson has been in London with daughter Janet, supporting her after the birth of her first child. But after Trent asked a judge to force Katherine to appear in court, after doubting the validity of her sworn statement in the case against him, Judge Rolf Treu ruled that he would not accept a sworn statement from Katherine, and she would have to appear in person in Los Angeles County Superior Court for her testimony and cross-examination in the case.
Now Katherine is en route back to the States to testify in the case, in which she claims Trent is an “an abusive con man” who has been emotionally abusing her and trying to take control of her money for years.
During a hearing on Wednesday (29Mar17), Katherine’s lawyer Julianna Edwards told Judge Treu: “The petitioner is returning from London and needs time to re-acclimate after her journey (to) testify in this matter.”
Judge Treu then continued the case until 25 April (17), when Katherine is expected to take to the witness stand.
However, Trent’s lawyer Ron Rale added that he is hoping his client and Katherine reach a private settlement before the next court date.
“We’re exploring resolution of the case,” he said in court, according to the New York Daily News. “We’re hoping to resolve this matter.”
But if the relatives can’t reach an agreement, Rale is keen for Trent to be given the chance to cross-examine Katherine, insisting it would be a “lack of due process” if he was denied that opportunity.
“It would not be a vicious cross examination,” he said. “If she, from her heart, said she felt bullied (by Trent), we would honour that.”
Trent has always strenuously denied Katherine’s allegations, claiming the case is the work of her son Jermaine, who he alleges is masterminding the courtroom drama in an attempt to control Michael’s estate.