SOLVANG, Calif. (AP) -- Michael Jackson was treated at an emergency room for what his spokeswoman described as a continuing back problem that flared up again a day before jurors in his molestation case were to return to work.
The singer, who has complained of back trouble throughout his trial, left the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital late Sunday to the screams of fans. He had arrived nearly six hours earlier.
"Mr. Jackson's back has spurred up on him again," said the singer's spokeswoman, Raymone K. Bain said soon after the singer arrived. "It's pretty serious. It was serious enough for him to come over here."
Jackson returned to his Neverland ranch about five miles away to await the verdict with his family. Jurors received Jackson's case Friday afternoon and deliberated for about two hours before adjourning for the weekend. They were expected to resume on Monday.
The apparent medical problem was one of several the 46-year-old singer has faced at key points in his trial. Jury selection was halted in February when he complained of flu-like symptoms, and he said his back problem began on a day when his accuser was on the stand.
The singer said at the time that a fall had forced him to go to the emergency room, and he rushed back to court wearing pajama bottoms when the judge threatened to have him arrested.
Bain said stress contributed to the entertainer's back problem Sunday. "He's under a tremendous amount of stress right now," she said. "Other than his back, he is doing fine."
Although Jackson wasn't seen leaving the hospital Sunday, it was believed he departed in one of two sport utility vehicles that drove slowly away from the hospital through a throng of reporters and fans. His aides had erected white scaffolding outside the emergency room entrance to block the view of photographers gathered outside
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