Jackson: 'Nightmare now over'
2005-06-14 08:52
Sydney - Michael Jackson's acquittal on child molestation charges drew jubilation from his fans and friends around the globe on Tuesday, outrage from some parents and observations that - despite the verdict - the once-great pop star's aura has faded.
Uri Geller, Jackson's psychic friend in Britain, said he was at a loss for words.
"I'm trembling, this is so important. He did not let down his fans and all the people that love him," Geller told The Associated Press. "He went through hell and now the nightmare is over."
Morning TV shows in Australia broke into live coverage of the verdict in Santa Maria, California - met by excitement and relief by fans including Jason Jackson, 31, a Michael Jackson impersonator since age 11.
"I supported Michael from the start and I will continue supporting Michael," he said.
Interest stretched to the Middle East, with Arab news channels al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya cutting to live coverage as Jackson arrived at the courthouse.
Some young Asian fans said Jackson would find it hard to put the trial behind him, despite the acquittal.
"He might not find success again, because there will be a shadow over him for the rest of his life," said waitress Cindy Chu, 19, while she headed to work in Taiwan on Tuesday.
"The magic is forgotten," agreed Valdeci Pereira, an evangelist preacher in the Dona Marta shantytown in Rio de Janeiro. "People will never listen to his music the same way again."
Others were not so optimistic.
"I hate to say it, but he's doomed," said Mohamad Zulkifli Abdul Jalil, editor of the Malaysian edition of FHM magazine.
In China, deejay Felix Hu of China Radio International said Jackson's image will only be temporarily tarnished. "For a while, we were advised not to play Michael Jackson songs when he was first charged. But now it's ok," said the Beijing-based Hu.
"The accusations were a blow to his image. But if he continues to produce good music, people will soon forget," Hu said. "Look at Eminem and George Michael. People have forgotten the bad things that happened in their private lives."
In the United States territory of Puerto Rico, several women with children said they were stunned that Jackson was found innocent. Brenda del Valle, 35, who has a young daughter, called the verdict "outrageous."
"As a mother, I think it is not fair to subject that entire family and the boy to that judicial process only to have nothing happen," del Valle said.
Other observers in Latin American also opposed the verdict. "It's a mistake. It's incredible," said Carlo Gonzales, 31 a part-time bartender and guitarist in a rock band in Lima, Peru, who said he was a Jackson fan until he was 15. "I realised that he used his image to lure children."
In Mexico City, however, at least one person expressed satisfaction.
"Strange is strange, but it's not illegal," said library worker Rogelio Mendez, 35. "I think he's pretty weird, but not a criminal."
- AP