Past accuser won't testify

2005-03-28 18:45

Santa Maria - Michael Jackson faced a critical hearing in his child sex charges trial on Monday which would decide whether to allow previous accusers to testify.

But a man who dropped accusations against Jackson in 1993 after receiving a multi-million dollar payment has already made it known he will not testify against the pop star.

The prosecution hopes to convince Judge Rodney Melville jurors should hear about cases against Jackson that never made it to court, in a bid to demonstrate a pattern of child abuse.

Jackson said at the weekend his trial was a set-up and he was a celebrity target.

"None of the stories are true, they're fabricated ... there's a lot of conspiracy going on," he said on Sunday in a radio interview with black activist Jesse Jackson, a longtime friend he often turns to for spiritual guidance.

Citing a gag order imposed by Melville, the self-styled "King of Pop" would not say who conspired against him.

"But this has been a pattern among black luminaries in this country," he said on the Keep Hope Alive programme.

The embattled pop star said he drew strength from the history of Nelson Mandela, who spent 28 years in jail before becoming the first black president of South Africa in 1994.

Jackson could face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of fondling a 13-year-old boy, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family against their will two years ago.

But the 46-year-old entertainer reiterated his innocence. He insisted he would be cleared and urged fans to pray for him and his three children.

Jackson said he had suffered physically and mentally at his trial, where his parents watched in silence last week as jurors were shown pornographic pictures he allegedly used to break down his accuser's inhibitions.

"I'm a fighter, but it's very painful at the end of the day," he said. "I'm still a human being, so it does hurt very, very, very much."

Doesn't want to be the 'Michael Jackson boy'

The judge's decision on whether prior allegations should be allowed in testimony could be crucial.

"The hearing on prior allegations is critical. It would be a case of do-or-die for both sides," said legal expert Jim Moret.

He said the testimony could be highly prejudicial to Jackson, as jurors "might feel he must pay now" if they believe he molested boys in the past.

Melville has given the two sides three hours to make their case without the jury present.

Jackson is known to have paid at least $20m to the family of a boy who claimed the star molested him at age 13 in 1993, and another $2m to the son of a former employee at the Neverland Ranch the pop singer calls home.

"Let me just say here today that he's not going to testify. He's out of the country or cannot be found," the uncle, Raymond Chandler, told NBC television.

"This is a definitive statement: He's not showing up. He's out of the country, where he can not be found. He doesn't want to be the Michael Jackson boy. He doesn't want any involvement," he said.

- AFP