Jackson’s accuser’s family ‘a parade of horribles’

Michael Jackson told his lawyer that young accuser had shared his bed but insisted nothing sexual happened, a court heard today.

Mark Geragos, who was employed by the pop star in February 2003, said he had “a parade of horribles” in his mind about the accuser’s family, prompting him to hire a private investigator to find out what they were all about.

“I thought they were going to shake him down,” he said.

Asked whether he had specifically asked Jackson whether the 13-year-old had slept in his bed, he replied: “Yes, he said nothing happened.

“He said he didn’t do anything untoward or sexual, and if anyone spent the night in his room it was unconditional love.”

The lawyer said Jackson “was almost childlike in his love for kids”.

He said: “I didn’t see anyone doing anything nefarious or criminal. I saw someone who was ripe as a target.”

He told jurors he ordered surveillance of the accuser’s family as he was trying to prevent a crime against his client.

What he discovered was a “litigious history,” he claimed, and he rapidly advised Jackson to have nothing to do with them.

He said he was “gravely concerned” to find they had sued department store JC Penney and he began to fear the worst.

“It was a pending train wreck,” he told the court.

Mr Geragos was hired at the time British journalist Martin Bashir’s documentary broadcast in the US, to protect the rights of Jackson and particularly his children, he testified.

Geragos quit on Jackson’s request in April 2004. He is scheduled to complete his evidence on May 20. Next on the stand is expected to be private investigator Bradley Miller.

Jackson, 46, denies molesting his then-13-year-old accuser, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.

The trial was adjourned until Monday.