Mother of Jackson accuser ‘distressed’ at Neverland

THE mother of Michael Jackson’s accuser made a distressed call to her fiancé from Neverland while the family was allegedly held captive at the ranch, a court heard yesterday.

The man told Santa Maria court in California that his wife-to-be sounded upset when she called on their return from a trip to Florida.

The family went to stay with him for a few days and during that time he claimed the woman received many calls from Frank Tyson, an employee of the pop star.

“She was emotional. She was crying. She was sitting in the closet having these conversations with Frank... She was very distressed,” the stepfather said.

The army reserves major told the court his stepson’s behaviour changed when he returned from Neverland for the last time.

“He’d become mean, he was using curse words. He had never done that. He was acting very cocky, kind of rude, actually.”

The accuser, then 13, and his family claim they were taken to Florida in February 2003 when British journalist Martin Bashir’s documentary aired in the US. On their return they allege they were held captive at Neverland and forced to make a rebuttal video, praising Michael Jackson.

The stepfather asked Mr Tyson what they would get in return for cooperation in making the rebuttal video.

He said he was offered a college education and a house, but when he asked for money he was accused of blackmail. Michael Jackson denies all charges.

The trial continues.