The mother of the boy accusing Michael Jackson of molestation wagged her finger, argued and asked repeatedly for clarification during nearly three hours of testimony about whether she knew a private investigator worked for the singer’s former attorney.

The 36-year-old woman, in her first face-to-face encounter with the pop star since the case began, also testified she did not know why she was called to the witness stand, adding she believed the purpose of Friday’s hearing was “just to bring me more torture.”

As she sat down, she made the sign of the cross, then glanced briefly at Jackson, who was sitting in the courtroom gallery with several members of his family. Jackson, 46, watched her throughout her testimony, but she did not return his gaze. She had called him “the devil” at a grand jury hearing earlier this year.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol.

The entertainer’s attorneys are trying to show that the accuser’s mother and prosecutors should have known private investigator Bradley Miller was working for Jackson’s then-attorney Mark Geragos when authorities seized items from Miller’s office. They want to exclude the items from evidence on grounds of attorney-client privilege.

Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. began the day by arguing that he should be able to ask questions that would challenge the woman’s credibility. He said she had also once accused the boy’s father of molesting him, but the judge said that was irrelevant for now.

The Associated Press, which does not normally name alleged victims of sex crimes, has not identified the woman in order to protect the identity of her son.

During questioning, Mesereau referred repeatedly to a transcript of an interview between Miller and the mother that was conducted on Feb. 16, 2003, just days after her son appeared holding hands with Jackson on a television special.

Mesereau noted the transcript said Miller told her at the beginning and end of the interview that he was a private investigator working for “specifically an attorney named Mark Geragos who works for Michael Jackson.”

She would not answer directly when Mesereau repeatedly asked if the document was false.

“I’m not denying it was said.” she testified. “I’m saying I don’t remember.”

Later, when Mesereau noted the interview had also been recorded, she replied, “The tape says the same thing as the paper (transcript), but by their mouths they said different.”

The woman said she believed Miller was Jackson’s private investigator because someone named “Frank” had told her so before she met Miller. She did not further identify Frank, but later volunteered that “Frank, Vinnie” and others were involved in an alleged conspiracy to imprison her family in March 2003.

Earlier this year, an attorney representing former Jackson employees Vincent Amen and Frank Tyson said he believed his clients would be charged with witness intimidation. The attorney, Joseph Tacopina, said his clients denied the allegations.

Mesereau occasionally seemed exasperated when the woman said she did not understand questions or needed them rephrased. She wagged her finger at him several times to indicate that she believed questions were based of bad information.

When asked if Miller had told her he worked for Geragos, she repeatedly said of Miller, “He’s your guy.”

During breaks in testimony, she bowed her head and clasped her hands together in prayer.

Also Friday, attorneys for both sides presented arguments to the judge over whether authorities went beyond what they had warrants to seize in searches of Miller’s office and Jackson’s Neverland Ranch on Nov. 18, 2003.

Prosecutors conceded that some items should not have been taken, but said others were related to the case.

Outside court, Mesereau said the singer now regrets paying to settle two past claims of child molestation.

“He should have fought these actions to the bitter end,” Mesereau said as fans chanted in support of the “King of Pop,” who was dressed in a white suit with an embroidered gold armband. Family members who accompanied him to court, including his sisters Janet and LaToya Jackson , wore similar white suits.

Mesereau said Jackson had been ill-advised by those who profit from his music and who were hoping to avoid bad publicity when they persuaded him to settle past claims.

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