The Hindu : International : New charges against Jackson

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 01, 2004

International

International

New charges against Jackson

Pop star Michael Jackson waves to fans following his indictment on charges related to child molestation at the courthouse in Santa Maria, California, on Friday. He is joined by mother Katherine (right) and brother Jackie (behind him). The woman at left has not been identified. - AP

SANTA MARIA, APRIL 30. Michael Jackson today pleaded not guilty to charges contained in a 10-count grand jury indictment arising from a California investigation into accusations of child molestation.

The charges are the second set stemming from the pop singer's relationship with a boy who is now 14 years old, the authorities said.

In addition to the abduction charge, Jackson was also accused in the indictment with several counts of lewd behaviour with a child and feeding a child an intoxicating agent. A new charge accuses him of conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

Jackson entered the courthouse in Santa Maria early for hearing, as a throng of cheering fans and phalanxes of television cameras massed outside.

After the hearing, which lasted less than half an hour, Jackson emerged and made a brief and subdued public statement that was in contrast to his last court appearance in January, when he moon walked atop a sport utility vehicle for his crowds of cheering fans after leaving the courthouse.

Jackson, surrounded by his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, his new legal team and bodyguards, talked only about his love for the community of Santa Maria, where his Neverland Ranch, the place where the alleged molestation is said by authorities to have taken place, is located.

``I love the community of Santa Maria very much,'' Jackson said. ``It's my community. I love the people. I will always love this community from the bottom of my heart. That's why I moved here.''

His lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr., who Jackson hired only last week, signalled that his defence strategy would also emphasise a more subdued approach. In comments to reporters here, he also did not address the matter of the charges against his client.

``This case is about one thing only,'' Mr. Mesereau said. ``It is about the dignity, the integrity, the decency, the honour, the charity, the innocence and the complete vindication of a wonderful human being named Michael Jackson.''

Jackson, 45, was originally accused, in December, of seven counts of sexually abusing the boy, and of two counts of giving him alcohol as part of the molestation — all felonies. The Santa Barbara district attorney's office said the acts occurred early last year at Jackson's ranch, Neverland, about 25 miles north of Santa Barbara. A conviction on those charges could bring a 20-year prison sentence.

The Santa Barbara authorities raided Jackson's ranch on Nov. 18. During a search of the property, the police seized more than a dozen computers as well as numerous videotapes, letters, business records and a digital camera, according to court documents.

He pleaded not guilty to those charges in January.

Last week, a Santa Barbara County grand jury that had met in secret for 13 days handed down a sealed indictment on more charges, including lewd acts with a child and attempted lewd acts with a child. He was arraigned on those charges today. After the latest indictments became public, Jackson, who has been steadfast in rejecting the accusations, abruptly changed his legal team.

One of the dismissed lawyers said in interviews that serious conflicts had been brewing for weeks between Jackson's legal team and a large group of family members and others advising him.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International