Jackson leaves hospital, after doctor said he'd stay
Singer's illness put molestation trial on hold
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 Michael Jackson's child trial is on hold after he fell ill.
 Both sides are looking to find sympathetic jurors.
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SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- Pop star Michael Jackson eluded reporters and left Marian Medical Center on Wednesday evening, not long after a doctor said he would stay another night.
Jackson, who was hospitalized with a flu-like ailment Tuesday, left in a sport utility vehicle parked near the emergency room entrance, hospital administrator Dennis Daniels said.
A Santa Maria police officer said Jackson was supposed to contact police before he left so they could give him an escort, but they were not notified. Two SUVs sped away from the hospital, using a roundabout route.
About two hours earlier, a doctor told reporters that Jackson had "persistent viral symptoms" that would keep him in the hospital another night.
"Mr. Jackson continues to be in stable condition and remains under observation at this time," said Dr. Todd Bailey, director of emergency services. "He continues to need care for some persistent viral symptoms but, otherwise, he's in good spirits."
A written statement Wednesday night from Jackson spokesman Raymone Bain acknowledged that the performer had been discharged from the hospital and would continue his recovery at home.
"Mr. Jackson would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Marian Medical Center for the care they extended to him," the statement said.
The singer's parents, Katherine and Joe, and his brother, Jermaine, entered the hospital Wednesday afternoon, stayed about two hours and then left in a black Mercedes. Several fans shouted "We love you, Michael" as they waited outside for a glimpse of the singer.
Jackson was taken to the emergency room Tuesday after becoming ill en route to the courthouse where jury selection was to continue in his child molestation trial. Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville delayed selection until next Tuesday, saying it could not proceed without the 46-year-old defendant.
Jury selection began January 31. Jackson appeared in court Monday, when jury selection resumed after a one-week delay caused by the death of defense attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr.'s sister. Melville must seat a panel of 12 jurors and eight alternates.
Before court adjourned Tuesday, Mesereau announced he had a supplemental witness list consisting of 13 names, which he would read in court next week.
Those witnesses are in addition to the more than 100 names he read in court Monday, as both sides presented their witness lists. The defense list included actress Elizabeth Taylor, basketball star Kobe Bryant, singer Stevie Wonder, CNN's Larry King and two of Jackson's three children -- Paris and Prince Michael.
Jackson is accused of molesting a 13-year-old former cancer patient, giving the boy alcohol and attempting to hold him and his family captive.
Jackson and the boy appeared together in 2003 on a documentary by British journalist Martin Bashir, whose name is also on the witness list.
In the documentary, Jackson and the boy held hands, and Jackson acknowledged sleeping with children in his bedroom at his Neverland Ranch, though he denied there was anything sexual about it.
CNN's Miguel Marquez and Dree de Clamecy contributed to this report.
