Jury selection in the Michael Jackson trial has been postponed following one of Jackson's lawyers being hit by a family illness.

Jackson's leading lawyer has been granted time to spend with his family. His sister is suffering from a severe illness.

The case was expected to continue tomorrow, with the 250 potential jurors remaining being questioned further. Selection has now been postponed until Thursday at the earliest.

A spokesman for the Santa Maria courthouse explained that jury selection could be postponed for the entire week.

Judge Rodney is expected to consider legal motions by news organisations tomorrow before ordering the would-be jurors home.