Original
Story that FOX will be taking down
Friday, June 10, 2005 by Roger Friedman
Victory Already Declared
The prosecutors in Michael Jackson's child molestation and conspiracy trial apparently feel they've already won their case.
On Wednesday night, the whole lot of them — DA
Tom Sneddon, Ron Zonen, Gordon Auchincloss,
their wives and families — all celebrated at
the Hitching Post restaurant in Casmalia.
The Hitching Post, cousin of the Buellton restaurant
featured in the movie "Sideways," is considered the
best restaurant in the greater Santa Maria area.
Sneddon was so happy that he actually embraced
celebrity crime reporter Aphrodite Jones.
She told me he was in a jubilant mood, and the
most outgoing of all the people on hand.
Said one observer, "This group was happy. There was definitely a celebratory mood."
The prosecutor's team was first spotted making
merry at the bar, and then retreated to a private
dining room behind the bar that has no door.
"They could be heard laughing and carrying on," said a source.
Also present at what could only be termed a party
were several of the police investigators involved
in the case, including Sgts. Steve Robel and
Jeff Klapakis.
By contrast, little has been seen around town
of defense attorney Tom Mesereau, who's kept a low
profile since the jury began deliberations a
week ago.