Staff Writer

Michael Jackson remained in stable condition at Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria late Tuesday after missing a scheduled court appearance due to a severe bout of the flu.

Dozens of news media representatives and a smattering of fans stood vigil outside the hospital, waiting for word on the entertainer/s condition.

In court Tuesday morning, Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville told more than 100 prospective jurors assembled at the Santa Maria Courthouse that Jackson would need about four days to convalesce, and that they should return Feb. 22.

"He/s very ill with the flu and has all the symptoms we would have," Melville told jurors.

The proceedings cannot continue, Melville said, because California law requires those charged with a felony to be present during their trial.

The judge told prospective jurors that Jackson became ill in his vehicle on his way to court and was taken to the emergency room at Santa Maria/s only hospital.

Before recessing court until next week, Melville confirmed the singer/s flu during a 30-minute conference call with the doctor treating Jackson.

During a press conference Tuesday, Dr. Chuck Merrill of Marian Medical Center confirmed that Jackson was in stable condition at the hospital.

"Jackson was evaluated in the emergency room for flu-like illness with some vomiting," Merrill said, adding that the entertainer was receiving intravenous fluids and undergoing testing.

This is the second delay in the Jackson case in as many weeks. Court was also shuttered last week when the sister of Defense Attorney Thomas Mesereau, Jr. died.

Hospital officials would not say when Jackson might be released from the hospital.

However, the entertainer/s brother, Randy Jackson, told reporters that he would likely spend the night at Marian.

"He/s sick," Randy Jackson said, adding that Jackson/s "spirits are great."

The judge told jurors to stay healthy during the unexpected break, adding that the flu is going around.

"He will have ample time to get well and we will have ample time to get sick," Melville said.

Jackson is on trial for four counts of engaging in lewd acts with a 13-year-old boy and four counts of administering alcohol to help him with the alleged molestations. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges as well as to a count of attempted child molestation and a conspiracy charge involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

At Marian Medical Center, Santa Maria police quickly gathered at the hospital to contain about 75 media members staking out a site near the emergency room.

A handful of worried Jackson fans, who are among the regulars defending him at the court, also arrived.

One Jackson fan, Susie Mumfield of Los Angeles, fell to the ground while speaking with Randy Jackson.

She was taken into the hospital for examination, but released after a few hours.

When court resumes Tuesday, attorneys from both sides will continue questioning prospective jurors about their knowledge of the case, and screen for bias.

In a brief hearing Tuesday after jurors were dismissed, the judge denied a request by Mesereau seeking more time to question individual jurors.

"I think that 10 minutes is a good, solid time and I/ll stick with that," Melville said.

n Staff writer Quintin Cushner can be reached at 739-2217 or by e-mail at qcushner@pulitzer.net.