Sally Atticum
2004-05-02 10:29:08 UTC
Jackson Pleads Innocent on Molestation
By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) - Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to an
indictment charging him with child molestation and a conspiracy count alleging
child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
The indictment also included four counts of lewd acts involving a minor child,
one count involving an attempted lewd act upon a child and four counts of
administering an intoxicating agent.
The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not
individual charges. Rather they are alleged as the circumstances leading to the
conspiracy count.
Jackson arrived in court 40 minutes early Friday for arraignment on a grand
jury indictment that could move the 5-month-old child molestation case closer
to trial.
Jackson, who was scolded by the judge for showing up late to his last hearing,
smiled and waved to fans as entered the courtroom under an umbrella.
Police Chief Danny Macagni said 42 of Santa Maria's 107 police officers were
assigned to the courthouse, along with about 50 sheriff's deputies, to handle
the throng of fans and journalists. At least 130 members of the media were
expected.
Thomas Mesereau Jr., a veteran criminal defense attorney, took over the case
last weekend after Jackson decided to remove Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman,
the two high-profile lawyers who had been directing his defense. The star said
he wanted lawyers who could devote full time to his case.
At his first court appearance Jan. 16, Jackson had showed up 20 minutes late
after taking time to greet cheering fans. Judge Rodney Melville told him, "you
have started out on the wrong foot here. I want to advise you that I will not
put up with that. It's an insult to the court."
After that hearing, Jackson had danced on top of an SUV for a crowd of 3,000
fans.
Experts said it was likely that Jackson's new lawyer advised him such raucous
displays are not in his best interest.
"The indictment means things are getting serious," said Loyola University
Professor Laurie Levenson. She said Jackson's behavior at the arraignment sets
the tone for the rest of the case.
"The question is which Michael Jackson are we going to get - the one who says
he is serious about saving his life or the one who dances on cars."
The grand jury indictment returned last week was so secret that the court
schedule doesn't even list an arraignment.
Jackson had already been charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child
under the age of 14 and giving an intoxicant, reportedly wine, to a youth under
14.
Outside the courthouse Friday, some fans waved handmade signs toward the throng
of television cameras. A banner reading "Michael - Being here is the least we
could do. To all: Through this media circus don't let your ears deceive you"
was also draped along the fence.
On Thursday night, two to three dozen fans gathered outside the singer's
Neverland Ranch about 30 miles from the courthouse for a candlelight vigil.
Some wore black "Free Michael" T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.
Pedro Rivero, a 22-year-old from Madrid who said he had met Jackson "too many
times to count," said he had a feeling he needed to be at the arraignment.
"Everything that's happening is so unfair," said Rivero. "He's just so genuine,
so pure."
Associated Press writer Ryan Pearson contributed to this report.
2004-04-30 15:50:54 GMT
<b>You know, looking at this from a legal defense standpoint, I think Jackson
could get an insanity plea under Texas's definition. I really don't think he
knows the difference between right and wrong. I honestly think he has the
mentality of a child. I wonder if they have done any psychological testing.
That would be the first thing I would have done with him. Depending on the
results, and the jury panel, I might try the plea.
<p><br><b>Laura k</b>
<br>
<i>qualis artifex pereo</i><p></font>
<p>
By LINDA DEUTSCH AP Special Correspondent
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) - Michael Jackson pleaded not guilty Friday to an
indictment charging him with child molestation and a conspiracy count alleging
child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
The indictment also included four counts of lewd acts involving a minor child,
one count involving an attempted lewd act upon a child and four counts of
administering an intoxicating agent.
The alleged child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion are not
individual charges. Rather they are alleged as the circumstances leading to the
conspiracy count.
Jackson arrived in court 40 minutes early Friday for arraignment on a grand
jury indictment that could move the 5-month-old child molestation case closer
to trial.
Jackson, who was scolded by the judge for showing up late to his last hearing,
smiled and waved to fans as entered the courtroom under an umbrella.
Police Chief Danny Macagni said 42 of Santa Maria's 107 police officers were
assigned to the courthouse, along with about 50 sheriff's deputies, to handle
the throng of fans and journalists. At least 130 members of the media were
expected.
Thomas Mesereau Jr., a veteran criminal defense attorney, took over the case
last weekend after Jackson decided to remove Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman,
the two high-profile lawyers who had been directing his defense. The star said
he wanted lawyers who could devote full time to his case.
At his first court appearance Jan. 16, Jackson had showed up 20 minutes late
after taking time to greet cheering fans. Judge Rodney Melville told him, "you
have started out on the wrong foot here. I want to advise you that I will not
put up with that. It's an insult to the court."
After that hearing, Jackson had danced on top of an SUV for a crowd of 3,000
fans.
Experts said it was likely that Jackson's new lawyer advised him such raucous
displays are not in his best interest.
"The indictment means things are getting serious," said Loyola University
Professor Laurie Levenson. She said Jackson's behavior at the arraignment sets
the tone for the rest of the case.
"The question is which Michael Jackson are we going to get - the one who says
he is serious about saving his life or the one who dances on cars."
The grand jury indictment returned last week was so secret that the court
schedule doesn't even list an arraignment.
Jackson had already been charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child
under the age of 14 and giving an intoxicant, reportedly wine, to a youth under
14.
Outside the courthouse Friday, some fans waved handmade signs toward the throng
of television cameras. A banner reading "Michael - Being here is the least we
could do. To all: Through this media circus don't let your ears deceive you"
was also draped along the fence.
On Thursday night, two to three dozen fans gathered outside the singer's
Neverland Ranch about 30 miles from the courthouse for a candlelight vigil.
Some wore black "Free Michael" T-shirts, and one dressed as the singer.
Pedro Rivero, a 22-year-old from Madrid who said he had met Jackson "too many
times to count," said he had a feeling he needed to be at the arraignment.
"Everything that's happening is so unfair," said Rivero. "He's just so genuine,
so pure."
Associated Press writer Ryan Pearson contributed to this report.
2004-04-30 15:50:54 GMT
<b>You know, looking at this from a legal defense standpoint, I think Jackson
could get an insanity plea under Texas's definition. I really don't think he
knows the difference between right and wrong. I honestly think he has the
mentality of a child. I wonder if they have done any psychological testing.
That would be the first thing I would have done with him. Depending on the
results, and the jury panel, I might try the plea.
<p><br><b>Laura k</b>
<br>
<i>qualis artifex pereo</i><p></font>
<p>