The prosecution in the Michael Jackson case is shooting for the moon, alleging twisted and nefarious behavior almost beyond belief. Are they overreaching?
- Michael Jackson held a teenage boy and his family virtual prisoners at his Neverland ranch as the pop star conducted a bizarre campaign to both save his image from ruin and seduce the youth, prosecutors said on Tuesday.
But Jackson's lead attorney shot back that the 10-count child molestation and conspiracy indictment against his client was "absurd" and predicted that the case would ultimately be "laughed out of court" by a jury.
The exchange came as defense lawyers fought to have the indictment dismissed. Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville put off ruling on that request but postponed trial for four months, until Jan. 31, saying that both sides needed more time to prepare.
Deputy District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss, in spelling out the prosecution theory of the case in public for the first time, said Jackson's criminal conduct was triggered by a worldwide furor over his behavior in a 2003 British television documentary.
In that film, Jackson is seen holding hands with the young boy at the center of the case and attempting, Auchincloss said, to "justify to himself and perhaps to the world his attachment and behavior with pre- and post-adolescent boys."
The prosecutor said: "Michael Jackson's rationalization of his conduct on international television was his downfall. His reputation was completely and utterly ruined (as were) his image, his empire, his career. The documentary brought Jackson's whole world crashing down."
Auchincloss said a desperate Jackson then set about enticing the youth, who is identified in court only as "John Doe" and his family back to Neverland where they were forced to film a video praising Jackson.
But even as Jackson and members of his camp tried to manipulate and intimidate the family, Auchincloss said, the star had designs on the boy and cut him off from his mother. Then Jackson plied the youth with alcohol to seduce him, Auchincloss said.
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