The Hindu : International : Michael Jackson cleared of child molestation charges

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 15, 2005

International

International

Michael Jackson cleared of child molestation charges

Dan Glaister and David Teather

Singer breaks down as succession of not guilty verdicts is delivered

NEW YORK/SANTA MARIA: Michael Jackson, one of the world's biggest pop stars, was acquitted on Monday on all counts of child molestation charges. The 46-year-old singer, who faced up to 18 years in prison had he been found guilty, reached for a tissue and wept as the clerk completed reading the succession of not guilty verdicts.

In a packed courtroom in the small town of Santa Maria, north of Los Angeles, the clerk of the court began reading the verdicts at 2.12 p.m. As they were read, the prosecution slumped back in their chairs.

Mr. Jackson left the 20-minute session to be greeted by screams and cheers from 100 fans gathered outside the court.

Accompanied by his family and holding his mother's arm, Mr. Jackson got straight into a waiting SUV and left the court. He acknowledged the fans but there was no repeat of the grandstanding that accompanied some his previous court appearances.

Jury's statement

Inside the courtroom, the verdict was greeted with gasps and tears of relief from the public gallery as the 40 fans allowed inside took in the implications.

Mr. Jackson, dressed in a black suit, white shirt and black tie sat immobile, as he had been throughout most of the trial.

After the clerk had completed reading the verdicts, Mr. Jackson's attorney, Thomas Mesereau, gripped the singer's forearm. Once the jury had left the court, the judge said: ``Mr Jackson, your bail is exonerated and you are released.''

Mr. Jackson embraced each member of his defence team and then stood alone in the court, looking bewildered and saying nothing. When asked his reaction, Mr Mesereau said: ``Justice was done.'' The judge also read out a statement from the jury: ``We the jury, feeling the weight of the world's eyes upon us, all thoroughly and meticulously studied the testimony, evidence and rules of procedure presented in this court since January 31, 2005.

``Following the jury instructions, we confidently came to our verdicts. It is our hope that this case is a testament to the belief in our justice system's integrity and the truth. We would like the public to allow us to return to our private lives as anonymously as we came.''

The jury sent word that they had reached a verdict on the 10-count indictment at around 12.30 p.m. local time. The eight women and four men had deliberated for seven days after listening to 14 weeks of testimony.

The singer, who had been awaiting the verdict at his Neverland ranch, was given a little over one hour to make his way to the courthouse.

When the cars pulled in, surrounded by a motorcycle police escort, emotions were running high, with supporters screaming ``innocent.''

The 12-person jury consisted of eight women and four men. Eight of the jurors were parents, and eight over 40.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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