Molestation trial prosecutors play tape praising Michael Jackson

Prosecutors in the Michael Jackson molestation trial Friday played a videotape of the family of his alleged victim offering glowing praise of the singer.

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The video was made in 2003 as a rebuttal to a British television documentary in which the eccentric singer freely admitted to allowing young boys who visited his Neverland estate to sleep in his bed.

The Los Angeles Times said the prosecution's introduction of the seemingly favorable video came as a surprise, although it possibly was a pre-emptive move to prevent the defense from putting an even more favorable spin on it.

The video was played in the Santa Maria courtroom after the sister of the alleged victim testified she and her family had been pressured by Jackson's aides into making the tape.

Jackson faces numerous charges for the alleged molestation of the then 13-year-old boy.