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Michael Jackson dancing on top of his car to fans (January 16, 2004)
People v. Jackson (full title: 1133603: The People of the State of California v. Michael Joe Jackson) was a 2005 criminal trial held in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, California. Michael Jackson was charged with molesting Gavin Arvizo, who was 13 years old at the time of the alleged abuse, at his Neverland Ranch estate in Los Olivos, California.
Jackson had previously been accused of child sexual abuse in 1993; he denied the allegations and settled the accuser's civil lawsuit. In 2003, the documentary Living with Michael Jackson showed Jackson holding hands with Arvizo and defending his practice of giving his bed to children, triggering an investigation. Jackson was indicted on four counts of molesting a minor, four counts of intoxicating a minor to molest him, one count of attempted child molestation, one count of conspiring to hold Gavin and his family captive, and conspiring to commit extortion and child abduction.
The trial spanned approximately four months, beginning with jury selection that began on January 31, 2005. Gavin and his brother testified that Jackson had given them alcohol, showed them pornography, masturbated before them and made sexual advances. The defense characterized the witnesses for the prosecution as disgruntled ex-employees or individuals seeking to exploit Jackson for money. Witnesses for the defense included testimony from celebrities including the former child actor Macaulay Culkin and the comedian Chris Tucker. Coverage of the trial was described as a media circus, and some media outlets were quick to portray Jackson as guilty.
Jackson was acquitted on all counts on June 13, 2005. He never returned to Neverland Ranch, and spent the first several months after the trial living abroad in Bahrain and Ireland. In 2013, four years after Jackson's death, one of the defense witnesses, Wade Robson, changed his position and filed a lawsuit, saying he had been abused by Jackson. Jurors of the trial who appeared on The Jury Speaks in 2017 said they still would vote to acquit.
Background
The Los Angeles Department of Child and Family Services investigated Jackson and Gavin from February 14 to February 27, 2003, following the release of Living with Michael Jackson. After doing so, it was decided the allegations were unfounded.
However, the investigation was reopened by Thomas Sneddon in June. In November, Arvizo told the police he had been supposedly molested between February 7 and March 10. In the grand jury indictment, the dates were suddenly revised to February 21 and March 12.
Michael Jackson's mug shot
On November 18, the Neverland Ranch was raided by the police. Michael, Prince, Paris and Bigi were in Las Vegas, with the artist shooting the music video for "One More Chance". Due to the raid, the clip was never finished and it became his final music video. The King of Pop was arrested on November 20. On the same day, his infamous mug shot was taken. On December 18, Michael Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent for the purpose of committing a felony.
Sometime after, Michael issued a statement, saying the accusations are lies. During a 2004 interview with 60 Minutes, the King of Pop stated he was mistreated by the police, who had made comments about his body during the arrest.[1] Later, the California attorney general's office denied the claims.
On April 21, the grand jury indicted Michael on several additional related charges, including conspiracy involving child abduction, false imprisonment, and extortion. He pleaded not guilty on April 30 but faced 18 years in prison if convicted.
Trial
Jackson's statement
Michael Jackson Trial Statement - 2005
Michael Jackson's statement (January 30, 2005)
On January 30, a day before the trial began, Michael released a statement regarding the allegations and trial.
- "In the last few weeks, a large amount of ugly, malicious information has been released into the media about me. Apparently, this information was leaked through transcripts in a grand jury proceeding where neither my lawyers, nor I, ever appeared. The information is disgusting and false. Years ago, I allowed a family to visit and spend some time at Neverland. Neverland is my home. I allowed this family into my home because they told me their son was ill with cancer and needed my help. Through the years, I have helped thousands of children who were ill or in distress. These events have caused a nightmare for my family, my children and me. I never intend to place myself in so vulnerable a position again. I love my community and I have great faith in our justice system. Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen. I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told."
- — Michael Jackson, January 30. 2005[2]
Process
The trial took place between January 31 and June 13, 2005, spanning four months. Thomas Mesereau defended the artist and witnesses for the defense included testimony from Macaulay Culkin, Chris Tucker, Wade Robson, Brett Barnes, George Lopez and Jay Leno.
Michael Jackson was acquitted of all 14 charges on June 13, 2005, as it was decided he was found not guilty.
Aftermath
Post-trial, Michael abandoned, closed and never returned to the Neverland Ranch. Between 2005 and 2009 the artist had roamed around, finding new places to live in Bahrain, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. According to Mesereau, the artist became very isolated and wouldn't allow people to enter his life as easily anymore. His physical and mental health had worsened overtime. Multiple of songs he had writen at this time period (e.g. "Boy No") explored themes of loneliness, having nowhere to go and no one to trust.
The heavy allegations affected his career as well. As Jackson made more public appearances post-trial, media also started spreading, that the King of Pop became a "flop", suggesting that the artist was rather a thing of the past. At the time, Michael also couldn't find any sponsors and was facing financial troubles. As media outlets reported, the artist supposedly faced many different lawsuits and was deeply in debt. He now owed around $400 million.[3] In 2008, talks began about a new concert tour. In 2009, it was announced that a 10 show residency, titled This Is It, would take place in UK at the O2 Arena. Later on, it was changed to 50 shows.
On June 25, 2009 Michael had passed away. Afterwards, FBI had released their files regarding Jackson's case, stating through their over 10 year search (1993-2005), they have found zero evidence that Michael Jackson would be guilty of the accusations.[4]
Gallery
