Michael Jackson arrived at court an hour late
Gavin Arvizo, 15, told the jury in Santa Maria that he was abused in the pop star's bedroom at his ranch.
Mr Jackson arrived an hour late to his trial, wearing pyjamas and slippers and complaining of back pain.
The angered judge had threatened to issue a warrant for his arrest unless he arrived within an hour.
In a statement, Michael Jackson's defence said that Mr Jackson had been taken to a hospital for treatment for a severe back problem after tripping and falling over while getting dressed.
'Jesus Juice'
Mr Jackson arrived at about 0938 (1738 GMT) on Thursday, looking frail as he walked gingerly into the courthouse in what appeared to be blue hospital-issue pyjama trousers as his supporters chanted "innocent".
He denies 10 charges including child abuse and false imprisonment.
He said not to tell anyone about the Jesus Juice and said this is like a testimony that we'll be friends forever
Gavin Arvizo
Michael Jackson's accuser
If found guilty he could face a 21-year prison sentence.
The jury is to have a day off on Friday as the court considers a number of motions relating to the case.
Gavin Arvizo, a cancer survivor who was 13 when the abuse he alleges took place described in detail on Thursday how he was molested.
He said he and Michael Jackson were in bed together and that, after asking the boy lots of questions about sex, Mr Jackson had put his hand down Gavin Arvizo's pyjama bottoms and touched him.
The boy told the court that the experience felt weird and that Mr Jackson tried to comfort him as Gavin felt bad about it.
Lawyer Thomas Mesereau paced about waiting for Michael Jackson
Gavin also described how he had consumed various kinds of alcoholic drinks - including vodka, wine and brandy - with the star.
Secret drinking
He said they were frequently drunk from fizzy drinks cans.
Describing his introduction to wine Gavin said, "He said, 'You know how Jesus drank wine, well, we call it Jesus Juice'."
Gavin said he thought that the liquid he sipped tasted "ugly".
He said that on one occasion after drinking alcohol with Mr Jackson, he had been given an expensive watch and told to keep their drinking secret.
"He said not to tell anyone about the Jesus Juice and said this is like a testimony that we'll be friends forever".
On Wednesday, Gavin told the court he had slept in Mr Jackson's bedroom where they watched internet pornography together.
The boy said the singer had suggested that he spend the night at his Neverland Ranch, and get permission from his parents - which he did.
An angry Judge Rodney S. Melville threatened to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of world famous pop singer Michael Jackson if he failed to appear at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in California Thursday Jan. 10, 2005.  Jackson is under indictment there on seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts on a child under 14, and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent. Jackson, held briefly under the threat of jail by authorities on Nov. 20, 2003 when charges brought against him were formalized, gained his freedom later that day by posting a $3 million bail.

Judge Melville, apparently frustrated with Jackson who had in two earlier instances caused delays in his court room, issued the warrant just 5 minutes after noting the singer’s conspicuous absence at the scheduled 8:30 a.m. proceedings.  Jackson's defense lawyer, Tom Mersereau Jr., advised the judge that Jackson awoke earlier that morning with severe back pain and was under treatment at an area hospital at the time. The judge moved to give the celebrity one hour to appear or face arrest for contempt of court.

As word of the warrant threat traveled to the large news presence gathered outside, a media countdown began.  During the countdown, live televised reports recounted how Jackson had arrived for court 20 minutes late on his own arraignment for these charges, only to be met by a stern lecture from Judge Melville for that transgression.  There was also another occasion where Jackson, while recovering from flu symptoms, delayed the trial's jury selection for a week until he was well enough to return. The glaringly clear message sent by the judge was: bad back or not, Jackson was to appear in court! And fast! Only the televised scene of Jackson's expectant defense lawyer Mersereau with his assistant Susan Yu, both busy on cells phones while tensely waiting curbside beside the court house for the Jackson motorcade, seemed to undermine a feeling that Jackson would make it in time to avoid having his bail revoked.

As the deadline came and passed without Jackson’s arrival, live reports were busy with speculation on the superstar persona of Michael Jackson then taking on newer aspects of super-bizarre. But Jackson’s flair for tardiness showed itself with an arrival that was a mere 3 minutes after the judge was being forced to make good on his threat. Dressed in a blue blazer over a light weight undershirt, the star's recent departure from the hospital was evident by the pajama bottom pants and open-heeled bedroom slippers he wore into the court room.

Jackson had the assistance of his father and a body guard at each side to keep him steady as he gingerly walked into the Santa Maria court house. He listed slightly to the right and kept a fixed, distant face that was surrounded by uncombed strands of his long hair. The summons issued by the judge forced Jackson from his hospital bed to show the world he was not above the law. 

In private chambers, Judge Melville met with both the prosecution lawyer, Tom Sneddon, and Jackson’s defense lawyer to verify the defendant’s claims of back pain. After re-taking the bench in the court room, the judge announced to the jury they would proceed with the docket as planned.  Mr. Jackson narrowly escaped prison, and the trial would continue where it left off on the previous day with direct testimony from the now 15 year old boy who accuses him.