Psychologist had patients on both sides of Jackson case

SANTA MARIA, California – The psychologist who notified police of a 12-year-old boy’s claims of being molested by pop singer Michael Jackson had patients on both sides of the case, a defence lawyer indicated in court yesterday.

Besides his ties to the child, the psychologist had as a patient an investigator who once worked for one of Jackson’s attorneys, the lawyer said. Psychologist Stan J Katz declined to discuss his relationship with private investigator Bradley Miller, claiming doctor-patient confidentiality.Defense attorney Brian Oxman persisted: “Bradley Miller is a very special patient of yours, is he not, Dr Katz?” “If he were a patient, I could not disclose that because of the privilege,” Katz replied.Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville accepted that assertion, but Oxman again questioned Katz about Miller.The judge ruled the therapist could not be forced to answer and ordered the lawyer to drop the subject.After a number of additional questions in which Oxman referred to Miller as Katz’s “patient” or “client,” the judge interrupted and fined the lawyer US$1 000.In raising the issue, the defence was seeking to show that the psychologist likely knew that the investigator worked for Jackson attorney Mark Geragos – and probably told authorities.The defence is trying to convince a judge that evidence seized during a search of the investigator’s office should be barred from Jackson’s trial.If authorities knew of the investigator’s link to Geragos, the search violated the attorney-client privilege, the defence contends.Authorities – including Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who conducted surveillance at the office – deny they were aware of any link between the investigator and Geragos.- Nampa-APPsychologist Stan J Katz declined to discuss his relationship with private investigator Bradley Miller, claiming doctor-patient confidentiality.Defense attorney Brian Oxman persisted: “Bradley Miller is a very special patient of yours, is he not, Dr Katz?” “If he were a patient, I could not disclose that because of the privilege,” Katz replied.Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville accepted that assertion, but Oxman again questioned Katz about Miller.The judge ruled the therapist could not be forced to answer and ordered the lawyer to drop the subject.After a number of additional questions in which Oxman referred to Miller as Katz’s “patient” or “client,” the judge interrupted and fined the lawyer US$1 000.In raising the issue, the defence was seeking to show that the psychologist likely knew that the investigator worked for Jackson attorney Mark Geragos – and probably told authorities.The defence is trying to convince a judge that evidence seized during a search of the investigator’s office should be barred from Jackson’s trial.If authorities knew of the investigator’s link to Geragos, the search violated the attorney-client privilege, the defence contends.Authorities – including Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who conducted surveillance at the office – deny they were aware of any link between the investigator and Geragos.- Nampa-AP