Jacko: A tale of two trials
2005-02-27 20:32
Santa Maria - More than a year after the world watched authorities arrest Michael Jackson and charge him with molesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland Ranch, prosecution and defence lawyers on Monday finally get to outline their cases to a jury.
Opening statements will preview the essence of the trial - whether Jackson gave wine to the young cancer patient and then touched him inappropriately.
Both sides have compelling stories to tell, but the credibility of the boy, now 15, and his family likely will determine the outcome.
"You will see two different trials in opening statements," said Loyola University law professor Laurie Levenson, "the prosecution's case against Michael Jackson and the defence case against the boy's mother."
The prosecution story depicts a poor family whose stricken son wanted to meet one of his idols.
The child's wish was granted, but the prosecution claims it turned into a nightmare of sexual abuse and imprisonment at Jackson's fairytale home.
The defence narrative casts Jackson as the target of a money-hungry mother who coached her son to spin stories when it looked like their celebrity benefactor would cut them off.
The defence will present evidence that the mother has sued others in the past claiming abuse.
"The bigger the star, the bigger the target," Jackson said during a recent television interview with Geraldo Rivera, suggesting his defence.
Though Jackson's star has waned on stage, his legacy and showmanship still generate a global audience.
Jackson's lawyer suggested to jurors that celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Stevie Wonder would testify on behalf of the pop star.
More than 1 000 members of the media have credentials to cover the trial, including correspondents from Europe and Asia.
Ever a performer, Jackson has a hair and makeup artist to prepare him. A wardrobe assistant helps pick his theatrical court attire.
Prosecutors who unsuccessfully pursued Jackson over a decade ago on charges he molested a different boy are investing huge resources to make this set of charges stick.
A battalion of deputies raided Jackson's ranch to seize evidence and a cadre of lawyers and investigators have churned out mountains of motions and search warrants.
Prosecutors will cast Jackson as a wicked paedophile, the kind of man who would get a boy drunk and then take advantage of him.
The jury, chosen with unusual speed, is a hometown group of eight women and four men.
Most jurors are white, Jackson is black.
The panel includes several fans of Jackson's music, four parents of young children and one woman whose grandson was convicted of a sexual offence.
Some jurors either have been to Neverland or have friends or family who have visited or even worked there.
That personal connection is unusual - rarely at trial would jurors have been to the defendant's residence.
- AP