Jackson: No DNA proof of abuse
2005-03-01 19:35
Santa Maria - Detectives searching Michael Jackson's bedroom could find no genetic evidence that he abused a 13-year-old cancer patient, his lawyer told trial jurors on Tuesday.
Defence Attorney Thomas Mesereau said that despite two massive police swoops on the star's Neverland Ranch, no DNA evidence was found indicating that the boy or his younger brother had engaged in sexual acts.
"The ... children's DNA was never found in Michael Jackson's bedroom after searching and testing," Mesereau said, refuting for the first time prosecution claims that Jackson fondled his alleged victim on at least two occasions in early 2003
"The DNA isn't there because the molestation claims are fiction," said Mesereau as he resumed his opening remarks on the second day of evidence in the trial of the world's most famous defendant.
In opening arguments on Monday, prosecutor Thomas Sneddon had said the boy's then 11-year-old brother had seen Jackson touching his sibling inappropriately and that Jackson had showed the boy pornographic magazines and websites.
Fingerprints belonging to both Jackson and his accuser were allegedly found on a pornographic magazine, according to Sapa-prosecutors.
But Mesereau said the boy and his brother has been out of control at Neverland and that they had broken into Jackson's wine cellar and helped themselves to his collection of girlie magazines.
"Mr Jackson will freely admit he read girlie magazines from time to time," Mesereau told jurors.
"He denies showing them to children," he said of the magazines which Jackson sent aides to buy the magazines at a local store.
The trial was expected to move into testimony later in the day, with the prosecution calling British journalist Martin Bashir.
He made the documentary Living With Michael Jackson in which Jackson held hands with the then-13-year-old boy who eventually accused him and in which the pop star said he let children sleep in his bed.
Bashir, who has fought the prosecution's plan to put him on the stand, arrived at court accompanied by lawyers. -
Sapa-AFP / Sapa-AP
- SAPA