Michael Jackson child sex trial begins

Michael Jackson, the once undisputed King of Pop, goes on trial tomorrow charged with child sex abuse.

Jackson, 46, strenuously denies abusing a 13-year-old cancer patient after plying him with alcohol at his Neverland Ranch in California.

The long-anticipated case has already attracted huge publicity.

Bizarre alleged details have captured the public’s imagination, fuelling rumour and speculation.

But it will be about four weeks before the world hears the case against Jackson. Under American law a jury must first be selected.

With as many as 750 prospective jurors to be screened, the process could take a month at the Santa Maria court, California.

The pop icon’s trial could then last up to five months and, while court sessions will not be televised, media organisations are gearing up for blanket coverage in an echo of the OJ Simpson murder trial of 1995.

If convicted, father-of-three Jackson faces a maximum of 21 years in prison.

The investigation was triggered by British documentary Living with Michael Jackson, presented by Martin Bashir and broadcast in February 2003 on ITV.

During the interview Jackson admitted, and staunchly defended, letting boys sleep in his bedroom.

Charges were brought nine months later after police raided his sprawling fairytale estate.

When a warrant was issued Jackson turned himself in to Santa Barbara police and was handcuffed under the glare of the world’s media.

He was released on bail of £1.87 million (3m dollars).

Lawyers on both sides have since clashed during a series of pre-trial hearings.

Various court papers and transcripts have been obtained by the US media, uncovering an extraordinary tale of an alleged paedophile who lured victims and their parents into his home with lavish gifts, plied boys with alcohol before molesting them and later plotting to coerce them into a videotaped denial.

The prosecution case is expected to be based on evidence from four key witnesses – the accusations of the now 15-year-old boy, his brother, sister and mother.

Jackson’s ranch, which includes a zoo, ferris wheel, roller coaster and video arcade, was “designed to entice and attract children,” they claim.

The Jackson defence team is expected to portray the Thriller star as a harmless “Peter Pan” who donates huge sums to charity.

His lawyers will question the credibility of the alleged victim’s story, arguing that the family once denied Jackson had been involved in any wrongdoing and that they are simply hoping to profit from financial settlements.

According to legal papers, the family have launched two other abuse-related lawsuits in the past, winning a $137,500 (€105,481) settlement in one case.

Transcripts of evidence given to a Grand Jury by the young cancer sufferer last year were obtained by ABC News.

The boy claims he was lying on the bed with Jackson when the singer spoke to him about masturbation and started “rubbing” him.

The network has also cited documents which claim Jackson showed his alleged victim pornography on a computer.

If anyone asked what they were doing when they were alone together they should say they were watching The Simpsons, the pop star allegedly said.

Further evidence suggests Jackson gave the boy and his younger brother alcohol in coke cans.

Recent reports on thesmokinggun.com website, part of America’s Court TV, claimed the boy’s mother told police she once saw Jackson licking the top of her son’s head like a cat as he slept.

The site, which said it had obtained a host of documents relating to the case, also revealed that underwear belonging to the star’s alleged victim was discovered in the bedroom of Jackson’s six-year-old daughter Paris.

Additional allegations maintained that the boy’s family was put under surveillance for two months by Jackson aides.

Just days after his arrest, in November 2003, Jackson branded the accusations “a big lie” and vowed to prove his innocence.

He was formally charged that December and days later gave an interview on US television, declaring he would “slit his wrists” before hurting a child.

On January 16 last year, having handed his passport into the authorities, Jackson appeared at Santa Maria court to plead not guilty to the charges.

The event turned into a media spectacle as hundreds of fans from all over the world packed the streets outside the courthouse to see their idol.

It was a bad start for the Jackson team. After arriving 20 minutes late he was admonished by judge Rodney Melville, who branded it an “insult to the court.”

As he left, the star clambered on to the roof of his chauffeur-driven van, waved to fans, flashed a victory sign and blew kisses before treating fans to a small dance. He then he invited them all to a party at his Neverland Ranch.

A Grand Jury began hearing evidence in secret at the end of March last year. After 13 days of deliberations the 19-strong panel concluded there was enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

The following month, Jackson fired his two lead lawyers Mark Geragos and Benjamin Brafman. In a statement he said it was “imperative” he had the full attention of those representing him when his life was at stake. They were replaced with criminal defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau.

Days later the star pleaded not guilty to a 10-count indictment of child molestation which included allegations of “overt acts” including false imprisonment and extortion.

Judge Melville will rule on whether to allow allegations about past misconduct after the jury is selected.

A court gagging order bans parties from discussing the case in public.