LOS ANGELES - The judge in the Michael Jackson child molestation case refused to lower his $3 million bail, citing evidence that the pop star once planned to flee to Brazil with his young accuser's family. The ruling by Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville marked the second time he has refused to reduce Jackson's bail, and it came after an appeals court asked him to revisit the issue.

Jackson, 45, is free on bail pending his trial on a 10-count indictment that charges him with child molestation and conspiracy, which is scheduled to begin in January. He has pleaded innocent. "Defendant has the financial ability to hire private jets and has frequently traveled beyond the borders of the United States," Melville said. "While on bail, he received his passport back to travel to England. Although defendant subsequently returned his passport to law enforcement, he may request his passport again for international travel before the January 31, 2005 trial date," the judge said. "No amount less than $3 million dollars would provide a financial incentive to return and appear for hearings and trial."

Reuters