LAWSUIT OF MICHAEL JACKSON SEXUAL ABUSE ACCUSER DISMISSED

A judge has dismissed the lawsuit of one of two men who alleged that Michael Jackson abused them as boys in the HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland."

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young on Tuesday found that James Safechuck, 42, could not sue the two corporations Jackson owned that are named as defendants in the lawsuit, MJJ Productions Inc., and MJJ Ventures Inc.

Young said Safechuck's lawsuit had not demonstrated that he had a relationship with the corporations that would have required them to protect him from Jackson.

"We are pleased that the court dismissed Mr. Safechuck's case by ruling that he had no grounds to pursue such a  lawsuit," Jackson estate attorneys Howard Weitzman and Jonathan Steinsapir said in a statement.

An email seeking comment from Safechuck's attorney was not immediately returned.

It's the second time Safechuck's case, filed in 2013, has been thrown out. A judge dismissed it in 2017, but an appeals court revived it early this year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law giving those who allege childhood sexual abuse longer to file lawsuits.

The similar lawsuit of Safechuck's fellow accuser and "Leaving Neverland" subject Wade Robson, which was also revived by the appeals court, remains alive.  

The Jackson estate has adamantly and repeatedly denied that he abused either of the boys, and it is suing HBO over "Leaving Neverland."

The Associated Press does not typically name victims of sexual abuse. But Robson and Safechuck have repeatedly come forward and approved of the use of their names and faces.

Archive: Park City, 25 January 2019

1. Wide exterior Egyptian Theatre, site of "Leaving Neverland" screening

2. "Leaving Neverland" director Dan Reed, subjects James Safechuck and Wade Robson exit Sundance Film Festival premiere screening of film

Archive: Park City, 24 January 2019

3. Still image: From left, documentary subjects Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and subject James Safechuck pose for a portrait to promote the film "Leaving Neverland"

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FILE: Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

4. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pyjamas during child molestation case

5. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

6. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

7. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

8. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

9. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Japan, 4 March 2007

10. Various Michael Jackson greeted by fans in Japan

SUNDANCE ADDS MICHAEL JACKSON NEVERLAND DOC ABOUT ACCUSERS

A documentary film about two boys who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later this month.

The Sundance Institute announced the addition of ``Leaving Neverland'' and ``The Brink,'' a documentary about Steve Bannon, to its 2019 lineup on Wednesday (09 JAN. 2019).

A description of ``Leaving Neverland'' says it will tell the story of two men who are now in their 30s and began long-running relationships with Jackson at ages 7 and 10 when Jackson was at the height of his fame. The names of the Jackson accusers profiled in the documentary were not released. Jackson was acquitted of molestation charges in 2005.

The film is produced and directed by BAFTA-winning director Dan Reed.

The Sundance Film Festival kicks off on Jan 24 and runs through Feb. 4.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive : Park City, Utah, 19 Jan. 2018

1. Wide of Park City, Utah, site of the Sundance Film Festival

2. Wide of the Egyptian Theatre on Main Street in Park City

3. Medium of the Egyptian Theatre marquee

4. Medium of people walking on Main Street during the Sundance Film Festival

5. Various of Sundance Film Festival '18 signage on Main Street in Park City

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive : Park City, Utah, 20 Jan. 2018

6. Wide of entrance to the Eccles Theatre in Park City ++NIGHT VIDEO++

7. CU of Sundance '18 backdrop signage

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive : Park City, Utah, 21 Jan. 2018

8. Wide of the Library Center Theatre in Park City ++NIGHT VIDEO++

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive : Park City, Utah, 2018

9. Wide exterior of the Eccles Theatre in Park City for a film premiere

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive: Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

1. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pyjamas during child molestation case

2. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive:Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

3. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive: Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

4. Various, Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

ASSOCIATED PRESS POOL

Archive : Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

5. Choreographer Wade Robson arrives for court, with unidentified woman and a member of Jackson's entourage holding an umberella, to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Archive : Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

6. Choreographer Wade Robson is escorted into courthouse by a member of Michael Jackson's security force to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive: Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

7. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive: Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

8. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

9. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

10. Close-up custom Neverland clock face

11. Pan of Michael Jackon's empty bedroom

12. Tilt up locks on Jackson's bedroom door

13. Closet next to Jackson's bedroom and door leading to secret room where Jackson stored personal belongings

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Archive: Japan, 4 March 2007

14. Various Michael Jackson greeted by fans in Japan

SHOTLIST:

APTN - APTN CLIENTS ONLY

Santa Maria, California - 27 February 2005

1. Wide shot of courthouse

2. Wide shot of camera, trucks and barricades set up near courthouse

3. Wide shot of satellite trucks parked outside courthouse

US POOL - APTN Clients Only

FILE - Santa Maria, California - 25 February 2005

4. Michael Jackson stepping out of car

5. Wide shot of Jackson walking to courthouse, fans yelling "Michael, We love you"

6. Jackson accompanied by aides holding umbrellas, Jackson yells "I love you more" to fans

APTN - APTN CLIENTS ONLY

Santa Maria, California - 27 February 2005

7. Wide shot of tarp being put up around courthouse fence

8. Various shots of worker putting up tarp around courthouse

9. Wide shot of courthouse complex with barricades lining the street

10. Wide pan of Big Red Tours bus sitting across from courthouse

11. Medium pan of bus operator standing on top of second deck

12. Medium shot of Big Red Tours bus

13. Close up of license plate that says "Lon Bus"

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Phil Collins, Tour Bus Operator:

"This whole trial is definitely helping the area as far as Santa Maria, local businesses will be probably feeling the benefits of all the generated interest in this small town and it can only help us all. It''s kind of sad that we are doing it on the back of someone else''s misery but celebrities put themselves in these positions, its kind of the territory they are in."

US POOL - APTN Clients Only

FILE - Santa Maria, California 25 February 2005

15. Jackson passing through metal detector

16. Lead prosecutor Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon arriving at court

STORYLINE:

Preparations were underway in Santa Maria, California on Sunday for the start of the Michael Jackson child molestation trial.

Prosecution and defence lawyers were to begin outlining their cases to the jury on Monday.

Television crews and city workers were busy in and around the courthouse.

Residents of Santa Maria were bracing themselves for months of media attention from around the world.

Some said they would appreciate the economic boost when hordes of reporters and Jackson fans pack hotels and restaurants, but others said they could live without all the commotion.

Michael Jackson is accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy, plying him with alcohol, and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.

Jury selection had been expected to last several weeks, but took only five court days, while the selection of the alternates could be completed as early as Sunday, allowing the trial to proceed.

The jury in Michael Jackson''s child molestation trial includes several fans of his music, four parents of young children, a woman whose grandson was convicted of a sexual offence, and a man who visited Jackson''s Neverland ranch as a child.

Drawn from the county where Jackson lives, the four men and eight women range in age from 20 to 79.

The jury seated on Wednesday was primarily white and Hispanic and did not appear to include any of the half-dozen blacks who were in the pool of more than 240 prospects.

Experts said the trial may boil down to the credibility of two people: Jackson and the accuser''s mother.

Both sides have compelling stories to tell.

Prosecutors were to depict a poor family whose stricken son wanted to meet his idol.

They will say that the dream became a nightmare of abuse and imprisonment at Jackson''s Neverland Ranch.

The defence was to describe Jackson as the target of a money-hungry mother, who coached her son to spin stories for profit.

Jackson''s defence will try to show that the boy''s mother has sued others in the past claiming abuse.

Italian/Eng/Nat

XFA

The popstar Michael Jackson will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union on Tuesday.

He will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

The hallowed halls of Oxford University are buzzing with excitement about the imminent arrival of a musical legend.

The university's Union has given a platform to a variety of controversial characters in the past, including OJ Simpson and Jerry Springer, but rarely has it seen such anticipation about the arrival of a world famous guest.

Students have been queuing for days in the debating chamber to pick up tickets for the Michael Jackson speech, and they are becoming a prized possession after a deluge of requests to attend.

Some might find it surprising that such a bastion of intellectual prowess should court a popstar to enlighten them about child welfare, but the President of the Union is in no doubt about Michael Jackson's celebrity pulling power.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Yeah, at times people have said why are you inviting this celebrity or that celebrity, if they think that person is possibly beneath the Union. And in fact I'm surprised that not one complaint - not one complaint - have I received about Michael Jackson not being in keeping with the Oxford Union, because everybody recognises this is an extremely elusive superstar, possibly the major celebrity in the world at the moment."

SUPER CAPTION: Nick Mason, President, Oxford Union

Students who will not be able to get into the debating chamber because of lack of space will crowd into an ante room which will carry sound from the speeches.

There's no doubting the level of excitement at the prospect of coming face to face with the Moonwalker himself.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Anything about the students at Oxford University not being interested in things like "Hello" (celebrity) magazine is just absolute guff - we're just as interested as anyone else and we're looking forward to him coming. We love it, we love the idea and there'll be huge press coverage as well. We'll get our photos in the papers (laughs)."

SUPER CAPTION: Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

The fact that Jackson was investigated by Californian police for allegedly molesting a 12 year old boy has not been lost on the students, but most are willing to give him a fair hearing.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"If he really had done that then he's obviously a very great hypocrite, but he's innocent until proven guilty. You can't decide that someone's done something just because there's a rumour about it and when you're famous people will make up stories about you."

SUPER CAPTION: Catrina Laing, Oxford University student

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

"I think this is a really good opportunity for him to demonstrate to the European community and the world in general how much his support for children is real or not, as the case may be."

SUPER CAPTION: Andrea Suriano, Oxford University student

The event at the Union has been organised in large part by the flamboyant New York Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (pronounced BOE-TAY-ACH) who has forged a strong friendship with Michael Jackson over the last couple of years.

Boteach was Oxford University's Rabbi for eleven years and was introduced to Jackson by the psychic Uri Geller, with whom he has published a book.

The Rabbi firmly refutes any suggestion that Jackson was guilty of child molestation.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I know Michael Jackson, thank God, extremely well. He is simply not capable of harming a child. He is as sensitive to the purity and goodness of children as anyone I've ever met. He's inspired me to be a better father, he's inspired me to be a more attentive parent and I'm therefore in his debt. And our friendship is mutually enriching. I've tried to bring certain things to his life and he's brought much into my life and none of this stuff is true and that's the way it is. I would trust him 1000 per cent with my kids."

SUPER CAPTION: Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author

Jackson and the Rabbi both headed up a conference on their Heal the Kids charity in New York three weeks ago, prior to the launch at Oxford.

Rabbi Shmuley says Jackson's speech will have a stunning impact.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"He's going to surprise the world with this lecture. It's a very, very moving, unpredictable message which he's going to impart. It 's an incredibly inspiring message which he's going to deliver.And people should stay tuned."

SUPER CAPTION: Rabbi Shmuley, author

Jackson will be best man at the magician Uri Geller's renewal of wedding vows in Berkshire on Wednesday and Boteach will be officiating at the ceremony.

London and Oxford 5 March 2001 and File

Oxford

1. Wide Oxford Union

2. Close up Oxford Union sign

3. Mid shot Union building, student queuing

4. Tilt down 1878 foundation stone to students in line

5. Interior pan from ceiling to debating chamber with students in line to get Jackson tickets

6. Close up line of students

7. Cutaway statues

8. Set up Nick Mason

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Nick Mason, President of Oxford Union

10. Wide shot Oxford street

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

12. Wide shot debating chamber with students

13. Close up of Jackson tickets

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Catrina Laing, Oxford University student

15. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Andrea Suriano, Oxford University student

London

16. Rabbi Shmuley Boteach signing books

17. Close up signing

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

File (14 February 2001) New York

19. Wideshot Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Michael Jackson at Carnegie Hall for pre-launch of Heal the Kids charity

20. Heal the Kids poster

London

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach

22. Pan across debating chamber

English/Nat

XFA

Adoring fans and photographers gathered in London to catch a glimpse of popstar Michael Jackson when he attended the launch of a book written by two of his friends, psychic Uri Geller and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach.

Jackson arrived at the Royal Institute of British Architects on Monday evening for the book launch, hobbling on crutches after fracturing a bone in his foot before his arrival in Britain.

The popstar will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union on Tuesday.

Jackson will also be best man at Geller's renewal of his wedding vows in Berkshire on Wednesday, while Boteach will officiate at the ceremony.

The book by Geller and Rabbi Boteach, entitled 'Confessions of a Rabbi and Psychic', features a series of letters between the two.

Jackson will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

The university's Union has given a platform to a variety of controversial characters in the past, including O-J Simpson and Jerry Springer, but rarely has it seen such anticipation about the arrival of a world famous guest.

Students have been queuing for days in the debating chamber to pick up tickets for Jackson's speech.

They are becoming a prized possession after a deluge of requests to attend.

Students who can't get into the debating chamber because of lack of space will crowd into an ante room which will carry sound from the speech.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

The fact that the popstar was investigated by Californian police for allegedly molesting a 12-year-old boy hasn't been lost on the students, but most are willing to give him a fair hearing.

The event at the Union has been organised in large part by the flamboyant New York Rabbi, Boteach, who has forged a strong friendship with Jackson over the past couple of years.

Boteach was Oxford University's Rabbi for eleven years and was introduced to Jackson by Geller.

Jackson and the Rabbi both led a conference on their Heal the Kids charity in New York three weeks ago.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Come here to see Michael Jackson. We follow him all the time, we want to seen him and... I work for a fan club.

Q: How did he look to you?

A: He looked brilliant, absolutely brilliant, yeh - really well.

Q: He's getting a lot of criticism for talking at the Oxford Union tomorrow about children and he was accused to abusing children - what do you think about that?

A: Absolute rubbish, all right. I've met Michael Jackson and he's the kindest, most generous person in the world and he would never do that and tomorrow I'm going to be at Oxford and we're all gong to support him. And he's just the greatest person ever."

SUPER CAPTION: Adrian Thomas, Michael Jackson fan

London, UK - 5 March 2001

1. Mid shot pop star Michael Jackson arrives

2. Close up of Jackson

3. Cutaway of cameraman

4. Two shots Jackson and Uri Geller, pull back to include Rabbi Shmuley

5. Medium close up of Jackson leaving with fans outside shouting

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Adrian Thomas, Jackson fan

7. Close up of book poster and pan down

8. General shot of books

9. Close up of Uri Geller, pull back to Rabbi Shmuley

10. Close up of Shmuley

11. Wide of news conference

Voice and effects

XFA

VOICED BY VERA FRANKL

Michael Jackson will deliver his first ever public lecture at Britain's Oxford University Union on Tuesday.

He will be launching his new charity, Heal the Kids, while speaking about child welfare and the need for parents to devote more time to their children.

Jackson was accused of child abuse in 1993, but the case was settled out of court and he was never charged.

0003

Michael Jackson arrives in London for his most unusual gig yet.

The superstar is to perform at the Oxford Union, Oxford University's debating society, on Tuesday.

In spite of the crutches, due to an injured foot, his performance won't be marred because it's a speaking engagement.

Michael Jackson is to speak about child welfare and his new charity, Heal the Kids.

0025

The venue may not have the sheer size of the Hollywood Bowl, but it has more than enough prestige.

Previous speakers who have addressed the Oxford Union include The Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, OJ Simpson and Barry White.

The fact that Jackson was investigated for alleged child molestation in California has not deterred the organisers

0045

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Yeah, at times people have said why are you inviting this celebrity or that celebrity, if they think that person is possibly beneath the Union. And in fact I'm surprised that not one complaint - not one complaint - have I received about Michael Jackson not being in keeping with the Oxford Union, because everybody recognises this is an extremely elusive superstar, possibly the major celebrity in the world at the moment."

SUPER CAPTION: Nick Mason, President, Oxford Union

0111

And it seems that the students of Oxford University agree.

0115

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Anything about the students at Oxford University not being interested in things like "Hello" (celebrity) magazine is just absolute guff - we're just as interested as anyone else and we're looking forward to him coming. We love it, we love the idea and there'll be huge press coverage as well. We'll get our photos in the papers (laughs)."

SUPER CAPTION: Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

0132

More than 20-thousand people have applied for tickets.

That makes the superstar the most popular guest in the Oxford Union's 178-year history, proving that, even when he's not singing, Michael Jackson can still cause a sell-out.

London and Oxford, 5 March 2001 and File

London, UK - March 4, 2001

0000-0025 Various of Michael Jackson walking on crutches along gangway, walks up to woman and hugs her

Oxford, UK - March 5, 2001

0025-0032 Wide Oxford Union interior

0032-0035 Students queuing

0035-0038 Cutaway statues

0038-0045 Set up of Nick Mason

0045-0111 SOUNDBITE: (English) Nick Mason, President of Oxford Union

0111-0115 Wide shot Oxford street

0115-0132 SOUNDBITE: (English) Charlie Sparling, Oxford University student

0132-0135 Oxford Union sign

0135-0138 Students queueing outside building

0138-0140 Mid shot of queueing

0140-0143 Close up of Michael Jackson tickets

0143-0148 Students in hall buying tickets.

MICHAEL JACKSON EXHIBITION GOES AHEAD DESPITE LATEST SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS

An exhibition featuring works related to Michael Jackson is going ahead as planned, despite renewed allegations of sexual abuse against the late star.

"Michael Jackson: On the Wall" opens tomorrow (22 MARCH 2019) at the Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik museum in Bonn, Germany, in the wake of the ongoing controversy over HBO/Channel 4 documentary "Leaving Neverland."

The documentary detailed disturbing stories from two men - Wade Robson and James Safechuck - who allege Jackson groomed them for sex and molested them when they were boys.

The superstar's image was tarnished by allegations of sexual abuse that shadowed him throughout much of his adult life and even stood trial on child molestation charges in 2005, for which he was acquitted.

Rein Wolfs, director of the Bundeskunsthalle, explained the decision to go ahead with the exhibition.

"We are of the opinion that we should not make cultural history disappear," he said. "We should look at cultural history. We should learn from it. We should also discuss this and we should use this platform as the exhibition for the next four months to continue the conversation."

The exhibition originally opened at the National Portrait Gallery in London in June 2018 before heading to Paris' Grand Palais.

Nicholas Cullinan, curator and director of National Portrait Gallery, said in a press conference Thursday that "Michael Jackson: On the Wall" was "a long time in the making and, of course, was conceived and curated before the broadcast of 'Leaving Neverland.'"

"The exhibition is not about biography or memorabilia and it was never celebratory," he added. "It's about the complexity of Michael Jackson and how he means very different things to many very different people."

"Michael Jackson: On the Wall" runs 22 March - 14 July at the Bundeskunsthalle museum, Bonn, before heading to the Espoo Museum of Modern Art (Emma) in Finland from 21 August 21 - 26 January 2020.

Bonn, Germany, 21 March 2019

1. Wide shot exhibition with "Michael Jackson and Bubbles (Gold)" by Paul McCarthy 1997 – 1999 and "Green Grey Symmetrical Michael Jackson" by Paul McCarthy 2003

2. Tilt down "Michael Jackson and Bubbles (Gold)" by Paul McCarthy 1997 – 1999

3. Medium shot with zoom in, "Over my Rainbow" by Pamela Rosenkranz 2011

4. Tilt down "Green Grey Symmetrical Michael Jackson" by Paul McCarthy 2003

5. SOUNDBITE (German) Rein Wolfs, Director of Bundeskunsthalle Bonn:

"We've decided to enforce this (exhibition). We are of the opinion that we should not make cultural history disappear. We should look at cultural history. We should learn from it. We should also discuss this and we should use this platform as the exhibition for the next four months to continue the conversation."

6. Tilt down "Archangel Michael: And no message could have been any clearer" by David LaChapelle 2009

7. Zoom in and tilt up, "In Memory of Michael Jackson 1958-2008" by Yan Pei-Ming 2017

8. Wide shot of press talk, with Rein Wolfs, Director of Bundeskunsthalle Bonn and Nicholas Cullinan, Curator and Director of National Portrait Gallery in London, on podium

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Nicholas Cullinan, Curator and Director of National Portrait Gallery in London:

"The exhibition has been a long time in the making and of course was conceived and curated before the broadcast of 'Leaving Neverland' and, of course, the exhibition is not about biography or memorabilia and it was never celebratory. It's about the complexity of Michael Jackson and how he means very different things to many very different people."

10. Various of "Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson)" by Kehinde Wiley 2010

11. Zoom in "The King of Pop (#135)" by Mark Ryden

12. Tilt down "Michael and E.T." by Mark Flood 1985

13. Set up shot of Ellen Heimes, head of local arm of Germany's largest child protection agency "Deutscher Kinderschutzbund" in Bonn

14. SOUNDBITE (German) Ellen Heimes, head of local arm of Germany's largest child protection agency "Deutscher Kinderschutzbund" in Bonn:

"He's an artist who has not been sentenced. In this respect one can say on the legal basis quite clearly there is actually no problem at all to make an exhibition about Michael Jackson. I think it's much more complex. It's worth looking at the fact that Michael Jackson is also a victim, and that's undisputed, even though there was no conviction, and actually using that to say: what can we actually do as a society? Where do we actually have to look at?"

15. Various of "American Jesus: Hold me, carry me boldly" by David LaChapelle 2009

16. Exterior shot of Bundeskunsthalle

SHOTLIST:

1. Michael Jackson gets out of vehicle

2. Shots of Jackson walking towards courthouse

3. Jackson walks through metal detector and into courtroom

4. Jackson defence attorney Tom Mesereau, Jr. walking towards courthouse

5. Various of Jackson leaving courthouse

6. Jackson and entourage get into vehicle

7. Vehicle drives off

STORYLINE:

A social worker testified on Tuesday at Michael Jackson's child molestation trial that she met privately with his accuser and his accuser's family during the time they claim they were Jackson's captives, and they praised the singer and denied any sexual abuse.

Irene Lavern Peters, a 30-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, said she met with the mother and her three children on February 20, 2003, after the airing of a documentary that drew attention to Jackson's relationship with the boy who is now his accuser.

"I asked him if he had ever been sexually abused by Michael Jackson and he became upset. He said, 'Everybody thinks Michael Jackson sexually abused me. He never touched me,"' Peters testified. She said the accuser told her Jackson "was very kind to him and treated him like a father."

Jackson, 46, is accused of molesting the then-13-year-old boy between February 20 and March 12, 2003, plying him with wine and conspiring to hold the family captive to get them to make a video to rebut the documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," which aired in the US on February 6, 2003.

The boy, a cancer survivor, appeared with Jackson in the documentary.

Jackson told interviewer Martin Bashir that he let children sleep in his bed but that it was non-sexual.

Prosecutors first charged Jackson with committing lewd acts with the boy between February 7 and March 10, 2003. A superseding grand jury indictment pushed back the time period to between February 20 and March 12.

Peters said when she interviewed the mother, the boy, his younger brother and older sister on Feb. 20, all of them praised Jackson. She said the mother, who was present at each child's individual interview, even gave Jackson credit for curing her son.

Under questioning by defence attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr., Peters said the family members never mentioned being held against their will.

The interview took place the morning after the family made the rebuttal video, which they later claimed they were forced to do by Jackson's associates.

Peters' testimony touched on an element of the prosecution's conspiracy case when she noted that she ran into the boy's mother in April 2003 at a restaurant.

Peters said the mother told her that "Michael wanted to send them to Brazil and she didn't want to go." Peters said the mother referred to Brazil as "that dump."

The prosecution claims that Jackson and associates wanted to send the family on a one-way trip to Brazil after the documentary aired.

A travel planner has testified that she arranged a March 1, 2003, flight but the trip was abruptly cancelled.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S LEGACY CLOUDED BY DARK DOCUMENTARY

The documentary "Leaving Neverland" that aired for two nights on HBO gave the public graphic details of alleged sexual abuse from two men who say Jackson molested them as children.

Jackson's estate and family say those claims are utterly false. But the film could bring a new reckoning of Jackson at a #MeToo moment when old allegations are ending careers.

So far, there has been no evidence of major damage to Jackson's music or lucrative estate.

Oprah Winfrey interviewed the accusers in a special that aired after the documentary. She didn't directly condemn Jackson, but she praised "Leaving Neverland" and treated it as truth.

Publicist Danny Deraney says it's unlikely that a devoted, global base of fans will abandon Jackson.

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

1. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pyjamas during child molestation case

2. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

3. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

4. Various, Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

FILE: Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

5. Choreographer Wade Robson arrives for court, with unidentified woman and a member of Jackson's entourage holding an umberella, to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

FILE: Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

6. Choreographer Wade Robson is escorted into courthouse by a member of Michael Jackson's security force to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

7. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

8. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

9. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

10. Close-up custom Neverland clock face

11. Pan of Michael Jackon's empty bedroom

12. Tilt up locks on Jackson's bedroom door

13. Closet next to Jackson's bedroom and door leading to secret room where Jackson stored personal belongings

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Japan, 4 March 2007

14. Various Michael Jackson greeted by fans in Japan

MICHAEL JACKSON FAN CLUBS SUE 'LEAVING NEVERLAND' ACCUSERS

Three Michael Jackson fan clubs in France are suing two men who accused the singer of sexual abuse in the HBO documentary ``Leaving Neverland.''

The lawsuit accuses Wade Robson and James Safechuck of unfairly blackening the reputation of the King of Pop, who died 10 years ago.

A lawyer for the fan clubs, Emmanuel Ludot, said he is seeking conviction under a French law against the public denunciation of a dead person.

The fan clubs are asking for one euro each in symbolic damages.

A court in the French city of Orleans held a hearing Thursday (04JULY2019). A lawyer represented Robson and Safechuck, who in the documentary described years of alleged sexual abuse when they were boys and teens.

Jackson's estate denies the allegations and sent a letter supporting the lawsuit.

Archive: Park City, 25 January 2019

1. "Leaving Neverland" director Dan Reed, subjects James Safechuck and Wade Robson exit Sundance Film Festival premiere screening of film

2. Wide exterior Egyptian Theatre, site of "Leaving Neverland" screening

3. Medium exterior Michael Jackson fans and others gathered outside theatre, pan up to theatre marquee

Archive: Park City, 24 January 2019

4 . Still image: From left, documentary subjects Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and subject James Safechuck pose for a portrait to promote the film "Leaving Neverland"

STREISAND APOLOGIZES FOR REMARKS ON MICHAEL JACKSON ACCUSERS

Barbra Streisand apologized Saturday for her remarks about Michael Jackson and two men who have accused him of sexual abuse, saying that she should have chosen her words more carefully and that she admires the accusers for "speaking their truth."

Streisand had received bitter criticism online after she was quoted in The Times of London as saying that Jackson's accusers were "thrilled to be there" during the alleged abuse, which "didn't kill them."

After an initial statement Saturday to The Associated Press in which she sought to clarify her remarks, the superstar of song, stage and screen posted an apology online that went further.

"I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims," she wrote.

"I didn't mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way," she wrote. "Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth."

The apology went far beyond the earlier statement to the AP, in which she elaborated on her published remarks, saying she felt "nothing but sympathy" for the men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who accuse the late star of molesting them as children.

She wrote in that earlier statement: "To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone."

The remarks in question came deep into a wide-ranging interview with The Times. Asked about Jackson, Streisand was quoted as saying she "absolutely" believed Robson and Safechuck, who make their allegations in the recent HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland."

Jackson's estate has condemned the HBO documentary. Jackson, who died in 2009, was found not guilty in 2005 of charges he molested a 13-year-old boy.

Streisand was asked about the documentary, which she called "too painful."

She then said that Jackson, when she met him, was "very sweet, very childlike." Asked how she reconciled that man with the one portrayed in the documentary, she replied: "His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has. You can say 'molested,' but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn't kill them."

Among those firing back on social media was the director of "Leaving Neverland," Dan Reed, who wrote of that last quote: "Did you really say that?!"

Asked by The Times whether she was angry at Jackson, Streisand said: "It's a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him."

Also attracting attention Saturday for remarks about Jackson was his close friend and mentor Diana Ross.

"This is what's on my heart this morning," Ross wrote on Twitter. "I believe and trust that Michael Jackson was and is A magnificent incredible force to me and to many others."

Los Angeles, 11 December 2012

1. Wide of Barbra Streisand and Seth Rogen on arrivals line

2. Medium of Barbara Streisand interviewed by reporter

3. Wide of arrivals

Los Angeles, 11 Feb. 2011

4. Barbra Streisand and James Brolin arrive at an event in her honor

SHOTLIST

PLEASE NOTE: SOUND QUALITY AS INCOMING

APTN

1. Michael Jackson and family walking through supporters during recess

2. Fans waiting for the Jackson entourage (MUTE)

3. Jackson pointing to supporters

4. Jackson walking past bus

5. Jackson lawyer Tomas Mesereau Jr. walking toward bus

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Vox pop, Kevin (no last name given) Jackson supporter:

"I've been a Michael Jackson fan ever since he was on Ed Sullivan back in '74, so that might tell you how old I am, but, I'll still listen to his music twenty years from now."

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Lisa Dawn Marble, Jackson supporter:

"Michael is a humanitarian. Michael is very effective at helping people all over the world; individuals and societies. He's extremely inspiring and compassionate. I recognised when I was nine years old that Michael's purpose was to spread understanding and compassion all over the world."

POOL

8. Jackson family leaving courtroom (MUTE)

9. Jackson and family members inside courthouse (MUTE)

10. Jackson and family members leaving courthouse

11. Wide shot Jackson family and Michael Jackson leaving courthouse and walking toward bus

12. Bus departs

APTN

13. Two shots of bus pulling away, crowds waving

STORYLINE

Fans of Michael Jackson erupted in cheers on Monday as the pop star emerged from a double-decker tour bus and went into court for an often testy showdown between his defence attorney and the prosecutor who twice filed child molestation charges against the singer.

Jackson, wearing a white suit with a mustard yellow armband, entered court with five of his siblings, also dressed in white, and his parents.

A bodyguard held a black umbrella over the singer, who flashed a peace sign to the crowd.

About 100 mostly young fans pressed against a chain-link fence and hoisted signs saying "Our Love is With You" and "Michael Jackson is Innocent" outside the hearing on whether prosecutors can use evidence seized from the office of a private investigator working for the singer.

Dozens of police and a small group of people demonstrating in support of sexual abuse victims were also at the court.

The defence is seeking to have key evidence excluded from the case by arguing that prosecutors violated Jackson's attorney-client privilege by searching the Beverly Hills office of a private investigator hired by his then-defence attorney, Mark Geragos.

Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon testified that he didn't know at the time that Geragos had hired the investigator, Bradley Miller.

As he testified, the exchanges between Sneddon and Jackson attorney Thomas Mesereau Junior were contentious at times - prompting a warning from Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville.

In a public relations flourish, Jackson decided to attend Monday's pre-trial hearing with his parents, Katherine and Joseph Jackson, and siblings Jermaine, Janet, Randy, Jackie and LaToya.

Jackson, 45, is charged with committing a lewd act upon a child, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

He has pleaded not guilty and is free on three (m) million US dollars bail.

Santa Barbara County sheriff's officials already have testified that they used a sledgehammer to break into Miller's office and seize videotapes and files relating to the Jackson case.

They maintain that they did not know Miller was employed by Geragos.

The conspiracy count has become a centrepiece of the prosecution case with allegations that the 12-year-old accuser and his family were coerced into making a videotape praising the singer's character.

The tape and other materials seized from Miller's office are at issue in the hearing.

A ruling that they must be suppressed because they were wrongfully seized would seriously undermine the prosecution's case.

SHOTLIST

1. Wide shot pan of Michael Jackson supporters standing across the street from the courthouse

2. Jackson look-a-like holding a sign

3. Various shots of supporters holding signs

4. Tilt down of supporters jacket reading Michael

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Liddy Champo, British Michael Jackson Fan:

"I've been a fan since childhood, he's always impacted my life in some way. Yeah, from a child it was just like the general, he's the structure of your whole moral status. He teaches you the right things to do in life, the right path to take and he's basically the foundation of who I am today. It's all based on Michael."

6. Police officers walking by

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Ann Scott, British Michael Jackson Fan:

"All I can say is innocent until proven guilty. And we love his music. And it was well worth all the money...we travelled to San Francisco and then to here, hopefully for my granddaughter to see him personally."

8. Close shot of sign reading "England supports you Michael"

9. Wide shot of Ann Scott and granddaughter holding sign

10. Japanese fans standing together

11. Pan of crowd of Jackson supporters

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Elise Andani, American Michael Jackson Fan:

"I don't think he's gonna get a fair trial because the media is filming and all that. Hopefully he does but I don't think he will."

13. Reporter interviewing Debra Opri

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Debra Opri, Attorney Representing Jackson Family:

"I have faith in the citizens of Santa Maria, I have faith in the citizens of Santa Barbara county. I believe they will do the right thing and they will properly evaluate the evidence and in the end, I think it's going to look good for Michael Jackson. People should wait until everything is presented."

15. Media satellite trucks outside courthouse

16. Shot of press gathered outside courthouse

17. Shot of woman holding a sign and chanting, pull out to wide shot of Jackson supporters behind fence

STORYLINE:

Dozens of dancing, screaming fans gathered outside a California courthouse Monday, as pop icon Michael Jackson's child molestation trial is set to begin.

Many supporters camped out all night. Some came from as far away as Europe and Japan.

Supporters blasted a Jackson song deriding the district attorney and booed a woman who held a sign backing the alleged victim, a 13-year-old boy.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville summoned 300 people to court for the first round of jury selection Monday.

Another 300 people are to follow on Tuesday, with a final one-hundred-fifty scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

From that pool of people, the judge hopes to find 12 jurors and eight alternates, but the process could take a month or more.

Fans standing outside the courthouse expressed confidence in the pop star's innocence.

At the same time, however, they feared he won't get a fair trial.

Debra Opri, the attorney for Jackson's family members, said she believes a fair trial is possible if jurors - and the public - withhold judgement until all evidence is presented.

Forty-six-year-old Jackson is charged with molesting a cancer patient - then age 13, now 15 - and plying him with alcohol.

Early Sunday, Jackson issued a court-approved video statement on his Web site, predicting he would be acquitted.

SHOTLIST:

1. Pan of cars arriving

2. Mid shot of supporters and protesters shouting

3. Close-up pan Jackson and family walking into court house

4. Close-up Michael Jackson and family walk into court waiting room

5. Mid shot of people outside of court house

6. Close-up Michael Jackson goes through metal detector into court room

7. Mid shot prosecution witness and former Jackson employee Adrian McManus walking into court

8. Pan of Jackson's attorney Tom Mesereau Jnr. walking into court

STORYLINE:

Michael Jackson headed back to court on Friday for another day in the child molestation trial against him.

Jackson's attorney Thursday attacked the credibility of two former employees at the singer's Neverland ranch who said they had seen Jackson act inappropriately with young boys.

A former security guard at the ranch, Ralph Chacon, told a lurid story about seeing the singer sexually abusing a child in the early 1990s, but was attacked by Jackson's lawyer as making the whole thing up "to get even."

Former guard and ex-maid Adrian McManus, who claimed she saw Jackson inappropriately touch actor Macaulay Culkin and two other boys, were called to testify in a prosecution attempt to show that the current molestation allegations against the pop star are part of a pattern.

But attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. accused Chacon of having tried to "extort" $16 million from Jackson in a lawsuit and lengthy trial that he and other ex-employees lost, and portrayed McManus as a thief and a liar.

The boy Chacon referred to received a financial settlement, reportedly between $15 million and $20 million, from Jackson in 1994.

The boy did not cooperate with a police investigation and no charges were filed against Jackson. The boy is not scheduled to testify in the trial.

Jackson, 46, is currently accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy in 2003, giving him alcohol and conspiring to hold the boy's family captive to get them to make a video rebutting a TV documentary in which Jackson said he allowed children to sleep in his bed but that it was innocent and non-sexual.

McManus, a Jackson maid between 1990 and 1994, testified that she saw Jackson kiss Culkin on the cheek while his hand was on Culkin's bottom. She described a similar scene with two other boys and third incident involving the same boy that Chacon testified about.

But McManus also testified that when subpoenaed in the lawsuit that resulted in the 1994 settlement she did not tell attorneys that she had seen Jackson touching the boy.

APPEALS COURT SENDS MICHAEL JACKSON DOC 'LEAVING NEVERLAND' FIGHT TO ARBITRATION

A federal appeals court ruled Monday (14 DECEMBER 2020) that a lawsuit filed by the Michael Jackson estate over an HBO documentary about two of the late pop star's sex abuse accusers can go forward in private arbitration.

A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with two lower courts and ruled in favor of the Jackson estate in its decision on “Leaving Neverland."

Unless there are further appeals, the case will go to a private arbitrator, which the Jackson estate argued was required by the 1992 contract at the center of the lawsuit.

That means the proceedings will be largely shielded from public view, though Jackson attorneys said in court filings that they would like for them to be as open as possible and sought private arbitration because it was the only way available to sue under the contract.

The decades-old agreement to put a Jackson concert on HBO required that the cable channel not disparage Jackson, which the lawsuit says it did by airing the molestation allegations of Wade Robson and James Safechuck in “Leaving Neverland.”

“In the court’s own words, HBO ‘agreed that it would not make any disparaging remarks concerning Jackson,’” estate attorneys Howard Weitzman and Jonathan Steinsapir said in a statement. “It’s time for HBO to answer for its violation of its obligations to Michael Jackson.”

HBO had argued that the provision was no longer valid because both sides had performed their parts of the agreement. HBO has also more generally defended “Leaving Neverland” as a valid and important piece of documentary journalism.

HBO representative Karen Jones did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the decision.

Jackson's estate and family have said the documentary's allegations are false and came from two men who previously told authorities they were not molested.

In separate cases, Safechuck and Robson sued two corporations created by Jackson over their allegations.

Safechuck's lawsuit was dismissed last month.

“Leaving Neverland” director Dan Reed has been filming the hearings in those cases for a follow-up documentary.

Jackson died in 2009 at age 50.

ARCHIVE: London, 5 March 2009

2. Medium of Jackson on stage

3. Pan of crowds

ARCHIVE: Tokyo, 4 March 2007

4. Various of Michael Jackson coming out and shaking hands with Japanese fans waiting at the arrival gate

5. Various of Jackson waving to the screaming fans

6. Various of screaming fans following Jackson

ARCHIVE: Tokyo, 9 March 2007

7. Medium shot of Michael Jackson on stage laughing, waving his arms and singing 'You Are Not Alone' with fans

ARCHIVE: London, 26 May 2000

8. Medium, entrance Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor

ARCHIVE: Berlin, 21 November 2002

9. Various shots, Michael Jackson waving from hotel balcony

ARCHIVE: London, 16 February 1996

10. Various, Michael Jackson arrives for BRIT awards, greets fans

ARCHIVE: Johannesburg, 18 July 1996

11. Medium Michael Jackson walks across airport tarmac

12. Wide shot press scrum

ARCHIVE: Rio de Janeiro, 11 February 1996

13. Various shots of Michael Jackson dancing on rooftop during recording of "They Don't Care About Us" video shoot

ARCHIVE: Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

14. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pajamas during child molestation case

15. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

ARCHIVE: Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

16. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

ARCHIVE: Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

17. Various, Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

ARCHIVE: Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

18. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

ARCHIVE: Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

19. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

20. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

21. Close-up custom Neverland clock face

22. Pan of Michael Jackon's empty bedroom

23. Tilt up locks on Jackson's bedroom door

24. Closet next to Jackson's bedroom and door leading to secret room where Jackson stored personal belongings

SHOTLIST:

1. Black SUV pulling up outside courthouse

2. Pop icon Michael Jackson getting out of car

3. Various of Jackson waving to fans and then walking into courthouse, surrounded by body guards and shielded by black umbrella

4. High shot of Jackson walking into court

5. Various of Jackson walking through security inside court entrance

6. Jackson being checked by security guard using a metal detector wand

7. Jackson walking past security

8. Jackson's attorney - Thomas Mesereau Jr (white hair) - following him into court

JACKSON ARRIVES AT COURT

Pop icon Michael Jackson arrived for the start of his child-molestation trial Monday, greeted by a crowd of fans shouting encouragement as they pressed against fences to see the pop star.

Jackson, wearing all white and shielded by an umbrella, waved to supporters as he walked into court.

During the morning hours before his arrival fans danced and sang a Jackson song deriding the district attorney and booed a woman who held a sign backing the alleged victim, a 13-year-old boy.

Many had spent the night outside the little courthouse.

Superior Court Judge Rodney Melville summoned 300 people to court for the first round of jury selection on Monday. Another 300 are to follow on Tuesday, with a final 150 scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

From that pool of people, the judge hopes to find 12 jurors and eight alternates, but the process could take a month or more.

Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting a cancer patient - then aged 13, now 15 - and plying him with alcohol.

A day before the jury selection started, Jackson issued a court-approved video statement on his Web site, predicting he would be acquitted.on his Web site, predicting he would be acquitted.

SHOTLIST:

1. Black SUV pulling up outside courthouse

2. Pop icon Michael Jackson getting out of car

3. Various of Jackson waving to fans and then walking into courthouse, surrounded by body guards and shielded by black umbrella

4. High shot of Jackson walking into court

5. Various of Jackson walking through security inside court entrance

6. Jackson being checked by security guard using a metal detector wand

7. Jackson walking past security

8. Jackson's attorney - Thomas Mesereau Jr (white hair) - following him into court

9. Shots of Jackson supporters cheering on the other side of a fence near the courthouse

10. Pan from supporters holding signs to Jackson look-alike

11. Another shot of Jackson look-alike doing a TV interview

12. Close shot of sign reading "France Supports...M.J."

13. Shot of Spanish and British flags

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Liddy Champo, Jackson Fan:

"I've been a fan since childhood, he's always impacted my life in some way. Yeah, from a child it was just like the general, he's the structure of your whole moral status. He teaches you the right things to do in life, the right path to take and he's basically the foundation of who I am today. It's all based on Michael."

15. Close shot of sign reading "England supports you Michael"

16. Wide shot of Ann Scott and granddaughter holding sign

17. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ann Scott, Jackson Fan:

"All I can say is innocent until proven guilty. And we love his music. And it was well worth all the money. We travelled to San Francisco and then to here, hopefully for my granddaughter to see him personally."

18. Media satellite trucks outside courthouse

19. Shot of press gathered outside courthouse

20. Reporter interviewing Debra Opri

21. SOUNDBITE: (English) Debra Opri, Attorney Representing Jackson Family:

"I have faith in the citizens of Santa Maria, I have faith in the citizens of Santa Barbara county. I believe they will do the right thing and they will properly evaluate the evidence and in the end, I think it's going to look good for Michael Jackson. People should wait until everything is presented."

22. Jackson waves to crowd just after getting out of car

STORYLINE:

Pop star Michael Jackson arrived for the start of his child-molestation trial Monday, greeted by a crowd of fans shouting encouragement who pressed against fences to see the pop star.

Jackson, wearing white and shielded by an umbrella, waved to supporters as he walked into the courthouse.

After more than an hour's wait, Jackson and his attorney stood and faced the first group of prospective jurors filing into the courtroom.

During the hours before Jackson's arrival, fans danced and sang a Jackson song deriding the district attorney, and they booed a woman who held a sign backing the alleged victim, a 13-year-old boy. Many had spent the night outside the little courthouse.

Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting a cancer patient - then age 13, now 15 - and plying him with alcohol. Early Sunday, Jackson issued a

court-approved video statement on his Web site, predicting he would be acquitted.

On Monday, Jackson spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said the pop star's "spirits are great," and shot down rumours that he had been suicidal.

Jackson is being prosecuted by Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon, 61, whom Jackson has derided in song as a "cold man" with a vendetta.

A child-molestation case Sneddon tried to build against Jackson 10 years ago fell apart when the singer's accuser reportedly accepted a multimillion-dollar civil settlement and refused to testify in any criminal case.

The challenge facing the court is not to find jurors ignorant of the case but to find those who say they can put aside everything they have heard and

look at the evidence as if they had heard nothing.

The referee is Melville, 63, a veteran of the bench who has refused to tolerate tardiness or even, in one case, a bathroom break for the defendant.

At the final pretrial hearing Friday, Melville made it clear that he won't abide lawyers attacking each other and that the gag order stands.

Earlier this month, the 1,900-page transcript of the case prosecutors presented to the grand jury that indicted Jackson was leaked to thesmokinggun.com and ABC News.

Among other things, the transcript included the accuser's testimony that Jackson closed his eyes tightly while molesting him on a bed, and that the

pop star ignored the child's warnings that he shouldn't drink alcohol because of his medical condition.

More than 1,000 applications for media access have been submitted, some of them from as far away as Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Canada and Mexico.

MICHAEL JACKSON ESTATE HITS BACK AT 'LEAVING NEVERLAND'

The co-executor of Michael Jackson's estate said Tuesday (16 APRIL 2019) that he's confident the late superstar's supporters will be able to protect his legacy in the wake of an HBO documentary featuring the disturbing stories of two men who say Jackson sexually abused them as boys.

Longtime entertainment attorney John Branca called the documentary a one-sided "made-for-TV-movie" and accused the film's subjects of being motivated by money. Branca acknowledged that Jackson's estate has faced "challenges" since the documentary's release, but said he doesn't believe there will be a long-term impact.

"People love Michael. They love Michael's music for sure. And if the investigation is effective, which I think it will be, in showing that there is severe doubt about what may or may not have happened, we will be back to people feeling 'It's OK to say I like Michael,'" Branca said on a panel hosted by the Harvard Institute of Politics.

It's the latest attack by Jackson's estate against "Leaving Neverland," featuring Wade Robson and James Safechuck. The estate has slammed filmmakers for not interviewing any of Jackson's family members or other defenders, who insist the singer never molested a child.

The film's director, Dan Reed, has repeatedly defended the film. Robson and Safechucks's accusations are not new, but have put Jackson's legacy under fresh scrutiny amid the #MeToo movement.

A lawyer for the men said Tuesday that Branca and lawyers for Jackson's estate are seeking to discredit the singer's accusers out of their own financial interest.

"Their recent comments are just part and parcel of the same thing they've been doing for years, which is protect the estate so they can continue to profit off of it," attorney Vince Finaldi said.

The men first came forward with their stories years earlier in lawsuits. Both of them had previously denied the singer sexually abused them, but said having their own children and Jackson's 2009 death forced them to face the truth. Their lawsuits were dismissed for technical reasons and their appeals are expected to be argued this summer.

Jackson, who was cleared in 2005 of charges that he molested another boy, acknowledged that he befriended numerous children, including some he invited into his bed, but denied molesting any.

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

1. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pyjamas during child molestation case

2. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

3. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

4. Various, Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

FILE: Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

5. Choreographer Wade Robson arrives for court, with unidentified woman and a member of Jackson's entourage holding an umberella, to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

FILE: Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

6. Choreographer Wade Robson is escorted into courthouse by a member of Michael Jackson's security force to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

7. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

8. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

9. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

10. Close-up custom Neverland clock face

11. Pan of Michael Jackon's empty bedroom

12. Tilt up locks on Jackson's bedroom door

13. Closet next to Jackson's bedroom and door leading to secret room where Jackson stored personal belongings

++4:3 MATERIAL++

FILE: Japan, 4 March 2007

14. Various Michael Jackson greeted by fans in Japan

MICHAEL JACKSON FAMILY CONDEMNS NEW DOCUMENTARY ON ACCUSERS

Michael Jackson's family members said Monday (28 JANUARY 2019) that they are "furious" that two men who accuse him of sexually abusing them as boys have received renewed attention because of a new documentary about them.

The family released a statement denouncing "Leaving Neverland," a documentary film featuring Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck that premiered last week at the Sundance Film Festival and is set to air in the spring on HBO and the U.K.'s Channel 4.

"Michael always turned the other cheek, and we have always turned the other cheek when people have gone after members of our family - that is the Jackson way," the statement said. "But we can't just stand by while this public lynching goes on.... Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made."

The family points out that Jackson was subjected to a thorough investigation which included a surprise raid of his home, the Neverland Ranch, but was still acquitted at his criminal trial in 2005, in a case involving another young man.

Robson testified at that trial, saying he had slept in Jackson's room many times, but that Jackson had never molested him. Safechuck made similar statements to investigators as a boy. Jackson died in 2009.

Both men filed lawsuits in 2013 saying stress and trauma had forced them to face the truth and admit they were sexually abused. The suits have been thrown out on technical grounds but are under appeal.

The Jackson statement calls the men "perjurers" because of this reversal, saying the family is "furious" that media outlets without evidence have chosen "to believe the word of two admitted liars over the word of hundreds of families and friends around the world who spent time with Michael."

The film's director Dan Reed has said he has no doubts about the men's validity.

The Associated Press does not typically identify people who say they are victims of sexual assault unless they come forward publicly, which Robson and Safechuck have done on multiple occasions.

The family insists that truth and evidence are on their side.

"We are proud of what Michael Jackson stands for," the statement said.

Park City, 25 January 2019

1. "Leaving Neverland" director Dan Reed, subjects James Safechuck and Wade Robson exit Sundance Film Festival premiere screening of film

2. Wide exterior Egyptian Theatre, site of "Leaving Neverland" screening

3. Medium exterior Michael Jackson fans and others gathered outside theatre, pan up to theatre marquee

Park City, 24 January 2019

4 . STILL IMAGE: From left, documentary subjects Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and subject James Safechuck pose for a portrait to promote the film "Leaving Neverland"

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, 10 March 2005

5. Michael Jackson arrives at courthouse wearing pyjamas during child molestation case

6. Michael Jackson enters courthouse

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

7. Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

ASSOCIATED PRESS

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Santa Maria, CA, March 2005

8. Various, Michael Jackson at Santa Maria, CA courthouse

Santa Barbara County, 5 May 2005

9. STILL IMAGE: Choreographer Wade Robson arrives for court, with unidentified woman and a member of Jackson's entourage holding an umberella, to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

10. STILL IMAGE: Choreographer Wade Robson is escorted into courthouse by a member of Michael Jackson's security force to provide defence testimony in Jackson's trial on charges of child molestation.

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Los Olivos, California, 1 July 2009

11. Various shots of aerials of Neverland Ranch

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Los Olivos, California, 2 July 2009

12. Tracking shot as Gates to Neverland Ranch open

13. Pan from statue of children to exterior of house

14. Close-up custom Neverland clock face

15. Pan of Michael Jackon's empty bedroom

16. Tilt up locks on Jackson's bedroom door

17. Closet next to Jackson's bedroom and door leading to secret room where Jackson stored personal belongings

++4:3 MATERIAL++

Japan, 4 March 2007

18. Various Michael Jackson greeted by fans in Japan

SHOTLIST:

1. Michael Jackson defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr. pacing back and forth, talking on mobile phone and checking his watch repeatedly

2. Black Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) speeding into courthouse driveway

3. Jackson, assisted by entourage, getting out of SUV and slowly walking to courthouse

4. Jackson walking through metal detectors and into courtroom

5. Jackson defence attorney Brian Oxman walking through metal detectors and into courtroom

6. Michael Jackson, assisted by entourage, walking out of courtroom past metal detectors

7. Various of courtroom sketches

7. Michael Jackson and entourage leaving the court

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Brian Oxman, Attorney for Michael Jackson:

"Michael Jackson asked me to make a statement here - he tripped this morning and he fell early morning when he was getting dressed. His back is in terrible pain, he was in terrible discomfort during the entire trial proceedings, he is going to go home, recuperate, rest and relax and he will be back on Monday and he is looking forward to being here. He went to the emergency room this morning and he was given medications and so he will be back on Monday and we are all thank you so very much. You take care."

9. Jackson and entourage walking towards cars

JACKSON LEAVES COURT AFTER DAY OF DRAMA

Michael Jackson left court on Thursday after a dramatic day in his trial.

Jackson went missing from his child molestation trial on Thursday and was nearly jailed before he finally showed up more than an hour late, in his pyjama bottoms and slippers, to listen to his accuser's second day of testimony.

The judge apparently did not punish Jackson for his lateness, which his lawyer blamed on a serious back problem that required treatment at a hospital.

Jackson's late arrival occurred before his 15-year-old accuser testified about drinking liquor with the pop singer and looking at sex magazines with him. He also said he once saw Jackson walk in to the room naked.

The jury heard only brief remarks from Judge Rodney S. Melville about the drama that unfolded at the start of the day, when defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr. announced Jackson's back problem.

Jackson's late arrival marked yet another strange twist in case that has seen its share of unusual events in recent months.

When Jackson was arraigned in January 2004, the judge admonished him for arriving late and requesting a bathroom break. Last month, during the first week of jury selection, Jackson went to a hospital with flu symptoms, delaying the proceedings for a week.

"He tripped this morning and he fell early morning when he was getting dressed. His back is in terrible pain, he was in terrible discomfort during the entire trial proceedings" said Brian Oxman, from the Jackson's defence team.

Prosecutors allege that Jackson, 46, molested the then-13-year-old cancer survivor at Neverland in 2003, gave him alcohol and conspired to hold his family captive to get them to rebut a damaging TV documentary in which Jackson said he shared his bed with children.

On the stand, the accuser occasionally glanced across the courtroom at Jackson, who appeared wan.

The witness told the jury that at some point Jackson showed him sexually explicit magazines found in a briefcase belonging to an employee. He said Jackson made a statement deriding the employee for having the magazines, but that he and the pop star looked at them for 30 minutes to an hour.

The boy, who had one of his kidneys removed as part of the cancer treatment, also said that at various times in Jackson's private quarters - his bedroom, office and a wine cellar - he was given drinks he described as vodka, rum, and "Jim Bean," apparently meaning Jim Beam bourbon.

The boy told the jury that he and his brother were once on Jackson's bed at Neverland when the singer came in naked, but the account differed from earlier testimony by the brother.

The trial will resume on Monday.