Jackson not guilty
Jurors acquit pop star of all molestation charges
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- A California jury has exonerated Michael Jackson of the child molestation, conspiracy and alcohol charges that could have sent him to prison for nearly 20 years.
The jury deliberated about 32 hours throughout the course of seven days before reaching its decision. The clerk of court read the verdicts Monday in a packed courtroom while a large crowd of supporters waited outside. Jackson fans cheered, wept and hugged upon hearing the verdicts. (Fans react) Courtroom observers reported that Jackson dabbed his eyes with a tissue after his acquittal. Prosecutors had charged the singer with four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 14; one count of attempted lewd conduct; four counts of administering alcohol to facilitate child molestation; and one count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment or extortion.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon sat grim-faced during the reading of the verdict and said later that he would accept the decision. "In 37 years [as a prosecutor], I've never quibbled with a jury's verdict, and I'm not going to start today," Sneddon said. (Legal reaction) Asked if the acquittal ends California's prosecution of Jackson, Sneddon replied, "No comment." Jackson's family members accompanied him to the courthouse to hear the verdict and flanked him as he exited the courthouse to the cheering of supporters.
Source: CNN
Jurors acquit pop star of all molestation charges
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
SANTA MARIA, California (CNN) -- A California jury has exonerated Michael Jackson of the child molestation, conspiracy and alcohol charges that could have sent him to prison for nearly 20 years.
The jury deliberated about 32 hours throughout the course of seven days before reaching its decision. The clerk of court read the verdicts Monday in a packed courtroom while a large crowd of supporters waited outside. Jackson fans cheered, wept and hugged upon hearing the verdicts. (Fans react) Courtroom observers reported that Jackson dabbed his eyes with a tissue after his acquittal. Prosecutors had charged the singer with four counts of lewd conduct with a child younger than 14; one count of attempted lewd conduct; four counts of administering alcohol to facilitate child molestation; and one count of conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment or extortion.
Santa Barbara County District Attorney Thomas Sneddon sat grim-faced during the reading of the verdict and said later that he would accept the decision. "In 37 years [as a prosecutor], I've never quibbled with a jury's verdict, and I'm not going to start today," Sneddon said. (Legal reaction) Asked if the acquittal ends California's prosecution of Jackson, Sneddon replied, "No comment." Jackson's family members accompanied him to the courthouse to hear the verdict and flanked him as he exited the courthouse to the cheering of supporters.
Source: CNN