Judge Rodney Melville retired in 2007 as a judge of the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria and was a guest speaker Saturday at The Valley Speaks event at the Santa Maria Public Library. He talked about his career in the courts, including his experience presiding over Michael Jackson’s trial for child molestation in 2005 where Michael was acquitted of all charges.
Rodney Melville moved to Santa Maria for its small-town charm and rodeo, but ended up presiding over one of the most publicized trials in recent history. While serving as a deputy district attorney in San Bernardino County early in his career, Melville sought out a job in a small town with a rodeo. Melville met his wife and raised his two daughters in Santa Maria, where he worked first as an attorney and then as a judge.
Toward the end of Melville’s legal career, the presiding judge in Santa Barbara County assigned Melville to preside over the Jackson trial. Melville said he had handled many interesting cases in his legal career, but acknowledged that the Michael Jackson trial was of greatest public interest. Some calculated that the trial would draw 10,000 fans and 300 satellite trucks for TV news channels.
“Fortunately for us, the estimates were greatly exaggerated,” Melville said.
Melville said he concentrated on ensuring fairness and dignity while not allowing personal agendas to overrun or divert the judicial process.
Source: MJFC / Lompoc Record / MJ-Upbeat.com
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