Jackson acquitted on all counts
2005-06-13 23:19
Santa Maria - Superstar Michael Jackson was acquitted on Monday of all 10 charges in his child molestation trial, including four counts of lewd conduct against a 13-year-old boy.
Jurors in Santa Maria, California also acquitted the 46-year-old father of three on one count of conspiracy, one count of attempted molestation and four counts of plying his accuser with alcohol.
Outside the courtroom, hundreds of Jackson fans, listening to the verdicts via an audio-feed, cheered and applauded as the decisions were read out by the court clerk.
The jury, eight men and four men, deliberated for more than 30 hours before reaching their verdicts, following a trial that began nearly four and a half month ago.
- AFP