Musical comeback is possible, say industry experts

WHILE the verdict means Michael Jackson will be free to try to rebuild his blighted musical career, his legal victory came at a terrible price to his image.

Prosecutors branded him a deviant who used his playland as the ultimate pervert's lair, plying boys with booze and porn. Prosecution witnesses described other bizarre behaviour by Jackson: they said he licked his accuser's head, simulated a sex act with a mannequin, and kept dolls in bondage outfits on his desk.

Defence lawyers described Jackson as a humanitarian who wanted to protect kids and give them the life he never had while growing up as a child star.