Post by MJSUNIFC on Jun 24, 2004 17:06:36 GMT -5
New Details
Sources Claim Mother of Alleged Michael Jackson Victim Often Present While Kids Drank
June 24, 2004 — ABC News has learned how Michael Jackson could respond to allegations that he gave the boy who accused him of molestation alcohol and conspired to silence the boy's family
Jackson, 45, has been accused of giving his alleged victim and the boy's siblings alcohol in soda cans. However, sources familiar with Jackson's side of the case have told ABC News that he adamantly denies ever giving liquor to the boy or knowing that the boy was consuming alcohol in his presence.
In addition, these sources told ABC News that there are witnesses who can testify that the alleged victim and his siblings were often seen drinking at Neverland when Jackson was not on the premises. They also told ABC News that the alleged victim's mother was often present when the children were drinking and did nothing to stop it.
"If the mother is present … that would certainly cause a jury to think (a) What's the big deal? or (b) How could we possibly blame Michael Jackson for something that is being done in front of the kid's own mother?" said California criminal defense attorney Dana Cole, who is not involved in the case.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include: felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment, extortion; committing lewd acts upon a child; attempting to commit a lewd act; and administering an intoxicating agent to a child.
The alleged victim in the case is believed to be a cancer survivor, now 14 years old, who spent time at Jackson's Neverland ranch and appeared in the British documentary Living With Michael Jackson, which was broadcast on ABC last year.
A Possible Defense Against Conspiracy and Silencing Family
The conspiracy charges against Jackson are rooted in allegations that Jackson and his associates harassed and tried to intimidate his alleged victim's family because they were worried about what the family might say to authorities. Jackson's associates are also accused of conspiring to imprison the alleged victim's family at both Neverland and a hotel in Calabasas, Calif.
But sources told ABC News that they expect Jackson's defense team to argue that the alleged victim's mother asked the entertainer to help put her up in the Calabasas hotel so that she could look for a new house.
Sources told ABC News that she wanted a place to hide after her son appeared on Living With Michael Jackson.
Friends of Jackson say that the mother had the freedom to come and go to the hotel and that she went on a shopping spree at Jackson's expense, sources told ABC News. California criminal defense attorney Cole said this defense, if true, would undermine prosecution allegations of conspiracy and false imprisonment.
"If you consent to go with someone, then it's clearly not an abduction," criminal defense attorney Cole said.
Hearing Set for Friday
Sources close to the alleged victim's family told ABC News that the mother was not free to leave the hotel in Calabasas and that the mother never saw or knew about her children's alcohol consumption. After learning about the drinking, the mother wanted to cut off contact between her family and Michael Jackson, these sources told ABC News.
A hearing in the molestation case against Jackson is scheduled to take place Friday in Santa Barbara Superior Court. Michael Jackson is not expected to appear at this hearing. An initial trial date has been set for September 13.
source abc good morning america
abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/Entertainment/Michael_Jackson_Defense_040624-1.html?CMP=EM333
Sources Claim Mother of Alleged Michael Jackson Victim Often Present While Kids Drank
June 24, 2004 — ABC News has learned how Michael Jackson could respond to allegations that he gave the boy who accused him of molestation alcohol and conspired to silence the boy's family
Jackson, 45, has been accused of giving his alleged victim and the boy's siblings alcohol in soda cans. However, sources familiar with Jackson's side of the case have told ABC News that he adamantly denies ever giving liquor to the boy or knowing that the boy was consuming alcohol in his presence.
In addition, these sources told ABC News that there are witnesses who can testify that the alleged victim and his siblings were often seen drinking at Neverland when Jackson was not on the premises. They also told ABC News that the alleged victim's mother was often present when the children were drinking and did nothing to stop it.
"If the mother is present … that would certainly cause a jury to think (a) What's the big deal? or (b) How could we possibly blame Michael Jackson for something that is being done in front of the kid's own mother?" said California criminal defense attorney Dana Cole, who is not involved in the case.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include: felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment, extortion; committing lewd acts upon a child; attempting to commit a lewd act; and administering an intoxicating agent to a child.
The alleged victim in the case is believed to be a cancer survivor, now 14 years old, who spent time at Jackson's Neverland ranch and appeared in the British documentary Living With Michael Jackson, which was broadcast on ABC last year.
A Possible Defense Against Conspiracy and Silencing Family
The conspiracy charges against Jackson are rooted in allegations that Jackson and his associates harassed and tried to intimidate his alleged victim's family because they were worried about what the family might say to authorities. Jackson's associates are also accused of conspiring to imprison the alleged victim's family at both Neverland and a hotel in Calabasas, Calif.
But sources told ABC News that they expect Jackson's defense team to argue that the alleged victim's mother asked the entertainer to help put her up in the Calabasas hotel so that she could look for a new house.
Sources told ABC News that she wanted a place to hide after her son appeared on Living With Michael Jackson.
Friends of Jackson say that the mother had the freedom to come and go to the hotel and that she went on a shopping spree at Jackson's expense, sources told ABC News. California criminal defense attorney Cole said this defense, if true, would undermine prosecution allegations of conspiracy and false imprisonment.
"If you consent to go with someone, then it's clearly not an abduction," criminal defense attorney Cole said.
Hearing Set for Friday
Sources close to the alleged victim's family told ABC News that the mother was not free to leave the hotel in Calabasas and that the mother never saw or knew about her children's alcohol consumption. After learning about the drinking, the mother wanted to cut off contact between her family and Michael Jackson, these sources told ABC News.
A hearing in the molestation case against Jackson is scheduled to take place Friday in Santa Barbara Superior Court. Michael Jackson is not expected to appear at this hearing. An initial trial date has been set for September 13.
source abc good morning america
abcnews.go.com/sections/GMA/Entertainment/Michael_Jackson_Defense_040624-1.html?CMP=EM333