11:34 a.m. PT

What will tomorrow hold? Last night we did receive word that media attorney Ted Boutrous intended to file a motion to move up a motions hearing to tomorrow, which would address the release of jury questions and the blank verdict form to the press. While we're on the subject of releasing information, defense lawyer Thomas Mesereau received permission from the judge to release a statement in the wake of a gag order that only the defense lawyers are authorized to speak on the King of Pop's behalf. It seems that T-Mez (a nickname Jackson fans have bestowed upon the attorney) was concerned about statements made from various representatives. Though Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain may not speak for Michael Jackson's defense team, she did send out an e-mail to reporters late last night announcing that Jackson visited Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital "for a basic, routine back treatment" as follow-up for his back spasms. "Mr. Jackson is now at home with his family," concluded Ms. Bain's e-mail. —Bryan Lavietes

10:57 a.m.: Deliberations end for the day.

No one really expected a verdict today, but there was a slight surprise when Juror No. 7 broke routine and left second after Juror No. 10. The jury does seem to make a point of not looking at the throngs lurking across from the jury door. —Bryan Lavietes and Lisa Sweetingham

10:36 a.m. PT

The press ranks have swelled to 33 countries as of this morning, with the arrival of reps from El Salvador's La Prensa Grafica newspaper. Photographer Lucy Perez and correspondent Anna Caron just arrived today and join the more than 2,200 credentialed press now covering the trial, per press coordinator Peter Shaplen. Perez and Caron are standing out front by the fans and soaking in the strange sights of celebrity justice. They ask, "Do you think a verdict will be reached today?" It's 24 minutes till this show's over. Not likely.—Lisa Sweetingham

10:27 a.m.

Astute Court TV viewers might notice the bustling behind our correspondents. That's because more camera crews are arriving on the scene as the verdict draws closer. Unfortunately, the media pen isn't getting any bigger. An international incident is brewing in the camera postion next to ours. The space belongs to Telemundo, but the BBC has expanded into it from the other side — and today a new outfit from Peru is looking to drop anchor there as well. It's a constant struggle to keep them out of our sightline. —Bryan Lavietes

9:40 a.m.

The anti-fan invectives, while mostly few and far between, have reached the gates of Neverland. The lovely Beatrice I wrote about yesterday, of the Italian MJ fan base, tells me there were incidents earlier this week of people throwing eggs at them from cars while they were hanging out in front of the property. Another female fan confirms and says banners supporting Jackson that they've put out along the entrance of the estate's famous owner were driven over by the drive-by eggers. They are considering filing a police report. —Lisa Sweetingham

9:25 a.m.

"Most of America and most of the world suspects he's guilty, not innocent," shouts an anti-Jackson protester, as he holds a towering sign declaring "Jesus Saves Sinners from Hell" that has an American flag attached. His message is directed at a group of fans who are lounging on the grass. He wags his finger at a girl as he lumbers down the sidewalk: "Be quiet! You got us kicked out of the Garden!" —Lisa Sweetingham

8:28 a.m.: Day five of deliberations begins.

The chance of a verdict today seems unlikely because court will recess about 11 a.m. to allow some members of the jury to go to graduation ceremonies. The fan presence this morning has dwindled to about 50 or so. A couple of die-hards are perched on ladders holding signs, including one decorated with hearts that reads, "The truth will set Michael free." —Lisa Sweetingham

Late afternoon PT

Crime may not pay, but hosting a high-profile trial does. The City of Santa Maria just released some preliminary numbers that show they've made a little profit in the wake of Calif. v. Michael Jackson. From the start of the trial through Tuesday, law enforcement costs have totaled roughly $210,000. City Management analyst Mark Van de Kamp estimates that the revenue from media rentals and the city's share of the hotel tax is $215,000. —Bryan Lavietes

3:05 p.m.

Raymone Bain, the Jackson family spokesperson, does not speak for the Jackson family. A 34-word statement on mjjsource.com from defense attorney Thomas Mesereau says basically that T-Mez, as the fans call him, has not authorized anyone to speak or hold press conferences on behalf of Michael Jackson — confirming what the press has suspected all along. —Lisa Sweetingham

2:30 p.m.

Animals have a sixth sense about certain things: pending earthquakes, the scent of fear and the pitch of jury deliberations. Bomb-sniffing canine Zeus, who stood guard as the jurors left, probably has a super-keen sense, so I approach him for a scoop after the press hacks clear out. "Zeus, are they leaning guilty," I ask with my left hand out, "or innocent?" and extend my right hand. Zeus digs deep into his doggie sixth sense and licks my right hand, without hesitation. Innocent? Are you sure? Zeus, I admit, may not be the most reliable source. He's still waiting for a celebrity animal birthday party invite from Neverland. —Lisa Sweetingham

2:25 p.m.: Deliberations end for the day.

The jurors started eight minutes early, and now they are leaving five minutes early. Juror No. 7 is first. Juror No. 5, the grandmother with a bouffant hairdo, smiles at a bailiff. Maybe we're wrong, but they seem to move more briskly than usual. Maybe they're getting better at the whole drill — or maybe they want to get away from their fellow jurors. —Lisa Sweetingham and Bryan Lavietes

2:21 p.m.

Nine minutes till the close of Day 4 and Bryan Lavietes and I are on wait-and-watch-the-jury-exit duty. Two white vans and two dozen white-clad fans are assembled at the back door of the courthouse. —Lisa Sweetingham

1:59 p.m.

The jury is still deliberating, but a court official just announced that the attorneys met in chambers with the judge about 10 minutes ago and a statement, likely written, will be released in about an hour. "It's not a question (from the jury), it's not a readback, it's not about a hung jury," says a court administrator, who clicks his heels and disappears. —Lisa Sweetingham

12:46 p.m.

"Raymone! Can you tell us who designed your outfit?" A Fox news columnist sets the tone with the opening question for another in a series of newsless news conferences from a Jackson family spokesperson. Raymone Bain, dressed in a peach pantsuit of unknown design and sporting French-manicured toes, takes center stage at the green monster. She dispels rumors that Michael's mother has had a stroke — "not true" — and she confirms that no family members are coming to speak today, despite SUV sightings: "There are a number of people at the house. Sometimes the cars go in and out." Michael, she says, is "fully functional." He is nervous, but in high spirits: "He has confidence in his innocence." What does he think of "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask," a scathing new book that's making the rounds? The book, in fact, was penned by a predecessor, former Jackson media rep Bob Jones. "I did not talk to him about Bob Jones' book." What does the family think? "I did not talk to them about Bob Jones' book."—Lisa Sweetingham

12:09 p.m.

A parade of angry fans presses down the sidewalk, stands firm just behind the Court TV liveshot and screams, "Stop the lies!" They are led by B.J., who considers himself Michael's number-one fan. But B.J. is the object of derision and the butt of jokes among the peacenik fans, some of whom laugh as he passes, saying, "He's so stupid." Security is beefed up around the press tents now, and the deputies are keeping their eyes on the notoriously vulgar-mouthed B.J. A few minutes pass, the crescendo fizzles and B.J. skulks away.—Lisa Sweetingham

11:15 a.m.

John R. Hatcher, III, a high-ranking local rep from the NAACP, holds an impromptu press conference outside the courthouse gates surrounded by clapping, adoring MJ fans. "Mesereau? He's doing a good job," he says of Jackson's defense lawyer. "But if I were him, I would protest the fact that they do not have one black person on that jury." A reasonable comment. But then he goes to say that the defense should have gone to the NAACP to ask for help in securing a black juror. Huh? He continues on along the same lines as he rants about things-not-Jackson such as "driving while black" and "runaway bride" Jennifer Wilbanks (pictured). A reporter asks him what's going through his head as we all wait for a verdict. "That I need some money," comes Hatcher's out-of-left-field reply, "and I need a restroom to go to." —Lisa Sweetingham

10:54 a.m.

Stacy Brown, a former LA Times reporter and friend of Michael Jackson for the last decade, has just come out with "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask," which he co-wrote with former Jackson media rep Bob Jones. By many accounts, the book is a devastating portrayal of the pop star's peccadilloes. Brown tells me that his book was ranked on Amazon.com at 646,000 only two days ago. But after being plugged on many networks since, the book ranked at 124 one minute ago. —Bryan Lavietes

10:29 a.m.

There are reports — confirmed by press pool coordinator Peter Shaplen — that a caravan of SUVs left Neverland about an hour ago. We don't know yet who is in them or if they are headed to the courthouse, but there are signs that a Jackson family member may be giving a press conference later today. When, who, and what... to be determined. —Lisa Sweetingham

8:55 a.m.

Not all reporters are "evil liars," as some MJ fans think, and not all MJ fans are "whacko nutjobs," as has been reported. Take, for instance, Beatrice from Italy, who has been here from the start. I first met Beatrice last week during a field trip to the gates of Neverland. She's bright, even-keeled and funny. Beatrice's sense of the absurd is evident in her latest purchase. Despite MJ's problems with Sony, she caved and bought a new Sony digital camera — because the Euro is so strong against the dollar right now.—Lisa Sweetingham

8:22 a.m.: Day four of deliberations begins.

Jurors began deliberating eight minutes early. —Lisa Sweetingham

8:13 a.m.

Juror wardrobe watch: Khakis, jeans and collared shirts. It may be camera-pretty, TV-friendly attire for some, but just another day in the deliberation room for others. The jury panel arrives with little fanfare and no overt signs of dissension, but wardrobe watchers can't agree on whether or not they appear "frumpy" today, as one coffee-toting onlooker announces, or "smartly" dressed, as a producer-type quickly reports via cellphone to some needy reporter on the other end. It's a mixed bag, except for one glaring standout: a female juror is wearing an ankle-length, silky flower-patterned skirt and furry-looking white waistcoat. She gives me pause. Is a verdict in our future? —Lisa Sweetingham

2:44 p.m. PT

The doves are set loose. They circle above the courthouse and soar out of sight. Another day at the circus comes to a close. —Lisa Sweetingham

2:32 p.m.: Deliberations end for the day.

The jury is set to exit any minute. Dozens of reporters flock to the area near the waiting vans hoping to catch a glimpse, a nod, a sign, from the jury exiting the courthouse. Juror No. 7 exits first, as usual. At least five jurors are smiling and one gives a wave to a bailiff. Juror No. 1 is carrying a big pink pastry box. Celebrity juror animal birthday party? —Lisa Sweetingham and Bryan Lavietes

1:15 p.m.

Blogging the fanatics outside the courthouse is like shooting fish in a barrel, only less rewarding. I admire the girl with the "Don't worry Michael — Tito's got your back!" T-shirt, but for the most part they are irredeemable whackjobs. Take Jake Byrd, a personable enough man from Chino (which is 180 miles away). He fashioned the "innocent mobile" and headed to Santa Maria to support his hero. Byrd has no doubt Jackson will be acquitted: "It will be a glorious day for adults who sleep with little boys. Just sleep!" As I walk alongside him for a bit, a group of Jackson fans yell at him, "You should get out of here!" It occurs to me that Byrd may be a pariah's pariah. "Sometimes what I say to support Michael gets taken out of context," Byrd offers. By the way, I have a good idea for a T-shirt to hawk to the throngs on Miller Avenue: "Michael Jackson: The only organ he's touched is our hearts." Would you buy one? —Bryan Lavietes

11:51 a.m.

It's been a great year for Terri Stricklin, general manager of the Hitching Post restaurant in nearby Casmalia and Buellton, 30 miles south. First, the Buellton location was featured in the film "Sideways," and now the Casmalia outpost has been doing great business due in part to the influx of media and out-of-town lawyers working on the Michael Jackson trial. One point agreed upon by the defense, prosecution, judge and jury is that the Hitching Post steaks are worth the trip. Tom Mesereau has brought lawyers there for working dinners in a more private side room. Detectives brought Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, to a table in the back before she testified. The Melville family eats there as well, as does at least one juror. Luckily, none have come at the same time, and "they all tip well," according to Stricklin. And she offered a cute tale for dessert: Debbie Rowe had the 22 oz. steak and made fun of Detective Steve Robel for ordering a smaller version. —Bryan Lavietes

11:49 a.m.

Concerned bird-lovers have raised eyebrows over the proposed release of Fariba's doves at 2:30 p.m. They'll starve to death! They'll be target practice! Hawk bait! Well... You can relax, people. These are homing doves, with internal GPS, and Fariba, who, as it turns out, is only renting them, says it will take them about an hour to fly back home to their roost in Lompoc: "The owner says they need to spread their wings every day." She plans to pick up her feathered friends again in the morning if there is no verdict by day's end. —Lisa Sweetingham

11:00 a.m.

The judge has kept mum about who the foreperson is, but there are already reports that Juror No. 2 has taken the helm. This 63-year-old Hispanic accountant has been an avid note-taker. He keeps spare pens in his breast pocket. He has never served on a jury before and had no knowledge of the current or past accusations against Jackson before the trial began. —Lisa Sweetingham

10:55 a.m.

Jesse Jackson returns to the green monster to report that Michael is resting at Neverland, his back pain is real, and he is praying for an acquittal: The jury has the fate, Michael must have the faith.—Lisa Sweetingham

9:48 a.m.

Some people know all the words to "Man in the Mirror" and can tell you the original members of the Jackson 5 — those would be called fans. Others pack up their belongings, move to Santa Maria for three months, and get jobs at local greasy fast-food joints, waking up at the crack of dawn in time for a chance at the public lottery — those would be called Jackson disciples. The Santa Maria courthouse is their mecca.

A prayer circle forms on the sidewalk. A red-haired girl in Teva sandals and a green tunic holds hands with a disheveled, possibly homeless man, and asks God to welcome truth into all our hearts. More prayers, in different languages, followed by a sing-along and an impassioned plea from one MJ disciple for "the same power that raised Christ from the dead shall shield Michael." I spy a deputy on the street trying not to crack a smile. —Lisa Sweetingham

9:00 a.m.

It is eerily quiet this morning. The fans and press have noticeably thinned out. But Fariba, the resident dove lady from Mission Viejo, is back with her caged birds. Today, she says, she will release her white doves at 2:30 p.m., verdict or no verdict. —Lisa Sweetingham

8:50 a.m.

Courthouse bomb-sniffing canine Zeus is a celebrity animal here in Santa Maria. Born and trained in Germany, Zeus can track a man down by his scent, sniff out contraband munitions and reduce his female fans to coos and baby talk. No bombs have been detected on Zeus' watch during the Jackson trial. For the record, Zeus turns three on July 21 and even gets to wear his own badge. He will not, however, be hosting a celebrity animal birthday party. —Lisa Sweetingham

8:30 a.m.

Have the jurors begin deliberating? We presume so, because 8:30 is their scheduled start time. "We haven't heard anything to the contrary," says press pool coordinator Peter Shaplen. —Lisa Sweetingham

8:10 a.m.

How do celebrity trials like Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson proceed without turning into Monica Lewinsky-leaving-Watergate-swarmed-by-a-crush-of-cameras madness? By instituting a pool system where one shot is shared by all media outlets. Today, Court TV was tapped to shoot the jury vans arriving at court. If you watch any Jackson coverage on TV, you will see this very shot of the white vans pulling into the parking lot. And we were right next to the cameraman — a witness to a witness of TV trial history. The camera was not allowed to shoot the jurors themselves, but many of them were wearing jeans. According to conventional wisdom, this means a day of hard deliberations but no verdict on the horizon. —Bryan Lavietes and Lisa Sweetingham