Key Jackson Prosecution Witness Arrested in Las Vegas for Robbery

Thursday, March 24, 2005

A key witness in the Michael Jackson molestation case is expected in court this week, but not in California. 25-year-old Chris Carter has his own problems right here in Las Vegas, charged with numerous counts of robbery. Metro Police officers had been on Carter's trail for two years. That's when he left his job at Neverland Ranch and allegedly began committing felonies here in Las Vegas. Today, he's being held at the county jail, a far cry from the posh surroundings he once knew.

Michael Jackson arrives at court daily to the screams of adoring fans. But prosecutors had hoped what Chris Carter had to say was anything but flattering. The former Mr. Jackson bodyguard was supposed to testify that he once found the pop star's young accuser drunk, and that the boy told him Mr. Jackson encouraged him to drink. Now, anything Carter might know about what went on behind the gates at Neverland Ranch is clouded by his own arrest.

"We take this very personal. He hit us quite a few times." Metro Lieutenant Ted Snodgrass says Carter is accused of at least 14 armed robberies in the Las Vegas area, including eight bank robberies. The most recent crime was at a Jack-In-The-Box on Spring Mountain Road. According to an indictment filed this week, it was that case that lead to the additional charge of kidnapping. "The people in the Jack-In-The-Box were ordered to move around at gunpoint. That's kidnapping. Use of force or violence."

But while attorneys in California argue over what to do about a star witness turned inmate, Snograss says he has no opinion about whether Carter should still testify. "This office puts people in jail. It's none of our concern." And he says even if his detectives had known in advance about the Michael Mr. Jackson connection, it wouldn't have mattered to their investigation. "There are some celebrities we deal with here, but it is Las Vegas, right?"

Because Carter is accused of robbing banks along with local businesses, the FBI is also involved in this case. In fact, it's possible he could face two trials in Las Vegas, one in state court and the other in federal. Carter was arrested at his mom's Las Vegas home last month. Sources say evidence found in their garbage, including a mask with eye holes cut out, helped seal the case.



Source: MJJsource