Michael Jackson denies all the charges

The judge in the Michael Jackson case has rejected the singer's attempt to have multiple child abuse charges thrown out of court.

Judge Rodney Melville ruled there was enough evidence to warrant the charges.

He also rejected a request from defence lawyers to exclude evidence seized from Mr Jackson's Neverland ranch and a private investigator's office.

Mr Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to 10 child abuse charges. He is due to stand trial in January.

The judge has put off until the next hearing on 4 November a defence request to have the chief prosecutor, Santa Barbara County district attorney Tom Sneddon, removed from the case.

Mr Jackson's lawyers allege that Mr Sneddon has a vendetta against the star dating to a 1993 abuse inquiry that did not result in charges.     

(Agencies)

ranch: an extensive farm, especially in the western United States, on which large herds of cattle, sheep, or horses are raised（大牧場，大片的農場）

prosecutor: one that initiates and carries out a legal action, especially criminal proceedings（起訴者，檢舉人）

vendetta: a bitter, destructive feud（宿怨，深仇）