Sheriff to speak out on Jackson

A California sheriff is revealing details today of how his staff treated Michael Jackson when the pop star was arrested on child sex abuse charges.

Jackson claims he was roughly treated and left with a bruised arm and dislocated shoulder. Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department said previously Jackson “was treated with courtesy and professionalism throughout the arrest and booking process”.

“Some of the points will be addressed a little more specifically” during a news conference tonight with Santa Barbara County Sheriff Jim Anderson, a jail spokesman said.

Jackson, 45, is charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.

Meanwhile, all warrants and affidavits in the case will be sealed under an agreement reached by prosecutors and Jackson’s defence team. The court order said the documents should remain sealed until Jackson’s January 16 court appearance.

In a television interview broadcast on Sunday, Jackson said he was “manhandled” after he surrendered on November 20.

“My shoulder is dislocated, literally. It’s hurting very badly. I’m in pain all the time,” Jackson said on CBS Television. “It’s very swollen. … It keeps me from sleeping at night.”

He displayed a bruise on his right arm he said was from the treatment, and said his shoulder was dislocated, although news videos showed him waving to fans after leaving the jail.

Jackson said he was locked in a toilet for 45 minutes after he asked to use the facilities. He said the room was smelly because of faeces thrown all over.

Jackson has not filed a formal complaint.

Chief Deputy Fred Olguin, who oversees the jail and was present at Jackson’s booking, denied the singer was mistreated, the Santa Barbara News-Press reported.

“I don’t run my jail that way, and I take a lot of pride in how the jail is run,” he said. “I don’t understand where he comes off with that.”