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January 31, 2005
Fans, foes and media mass as "King of Pop" child molestation trial begins
SANTA MARIA, California : The faded "King of Pop," Michael Jackson braced Monday for a showdown with destiny, as his child molestation trial was set to kick off under an extraordinary media glare.
Jury selection in the trial of arguably the most famous person ever to face justice on such serious charges was due to begin at 9:30 am (1730 GMT) ahead of a trial that could see the entertainer jailed for up to 20 years.
More than 1,000 journalists and about 200 loyal fans thronged the courthouse in the central California town of Santa Maria ahead of the arrival of the man who transformed music and dance in the 1980s.
Jackson, now 46 and a father of three, broke his court-imposed silence on the allegations against him on Sunday, defiantly dismissing the allegations that he molested a 13-year-old cancer sufferer and proclaiming his innocence.
"I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told," he said in a videotaped statement broadcast on his website just hours before he was due in court to watch the first 300 prospective jurors in the case turn up at the start of the complex selection process that will last at least a month.
Some 750 potential panellists picked from a list of 4,000 candidates will turn out between Monday and Wednesday to complete a detailed questionnaire on their views on key issues that will dominate the trial: fame, wealth and child sex abuse.
Jury selection process marks the start of a six-month trial that will unfold in this small town, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Jackson's sprawling Neverland ranch where he is alleged to have molested the boy two years ago.
"This is something he will have to deal with," said Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain. "He has confidence in his defense team. His spirits are great."
In his videotaped statement Sunday, Jackson angrily dismissed accusations leaked from secret grand jury hearings at which his now 15-year-old accuser told in graphic detail how the eccentric star allegedly fondled him and plied him with alcohol.
"In the last few weeks, a large amount of ugly, malicious information has been released into the media about me," Jackson said.
"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," he said.
The boy had allegedly told grand jurors last March that as he and Jackson lay in bed, "he (Jackson) put his hand down my pants and he started rubbing me, my private area -- he was masturbating me."
Jackson said he had wanted to help the sick youngster when he invited him and his family to Neverland.
"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."
Jackson said the "events have caused a nightmare for my family, my children and me. I never intend to place myself in so vulnerable a position again."
He also pleaded to potential jurors to treat him fairly despite his fame and the grisly nature of the charges against him.
"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."
Jackson has pleaded innocent to the charges and has dismissed the claims as "a big lie" concocted by a greedy family.
The 10-count indictment against him includes four counts of lewd conduct against the boy and four of attempted lewd conduct.
He is also charged on four counts for plying the boy with various types of alcohol -- including wine which he called "Jesus juice" -- and on a still murky count of conspiring to kidnap, falsely imprison and extort the boy and his family.
Jackson was accused of child molestation one before in 1993, but settled the case out of court in a multimillion dollar deal.
One of the key questions hanging over the trial is whether Rodney Melville, the no-nonsense judge who will preside over the trial, will allow prosecutors to tell jurors of earlier child abuse allegations against Jackson for which he was never charged.
Jackson's famous family and loyal fans are convinced the pop star could not harm a child.
But Melville has admitted a welter of potentially damaging items into evidence, including a collection of dozens of "erotic" books, magazines and photos seized from his bedroom at Neverland.
Prosecutors contend that the items reflected "a sexual interest in children" and that they were "grooming materials" aimed at breaking down the boy's inhibitions.
Jurors will also get to see the explosive documentary "Living With Jackson" that set in motion events that led up to the icon's arrest.
Posted by Nealus at January 31, 2005 10:34 PM
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