Jackson indicted on child abuse charges

A bespectacled Michael Jackson was today indicted on multiple charges of child abuse.

The charges include lewd acts with a minor, an attempted lewd act on a child, administering an intoxicant and conspiracy.

The star, who arrived at the court in Santa Maria, California, 45 minutes early, pleaded not guilty.

The star, who was scolded by the judge for showing up late to his last hearing, smiled and waved to fans as he entered the Santa Maria courtroom under an umbrella.

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.

Police Chief Danny Macagni had 42 of his 107 police officers on duty at the court, along with about 50 sheriff’s deputies, to handle the throng of fans and journalists.

Jackson, aged 45, who changed lawyers this week, has said his “life is at stake.”

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.