Created: Tuesday, 05 April 2005
Monday, April 4, 2005 Day 25 was marked by the testimony of the son of Michael Jackson’s former housekeeper. The now 24-year-old man alleged that he was molested once in 1990. He won an out of court settlement worth a reported two million dollars from Mr. Jackson in 1994 but said he only learned of the deal in 1997. The defense says that the boy’s mother had created the charges in order to get money from Mr. Jackson.
The judge told jurors the evidence of past uncharged crimes was being offered to show a “propensity” by the defendant to commit similar acts to the one with which he is charged. He said they need not decide beyond a reasonable doubt whether those acts were committed but must decide their weight “by a preponderance of the evidence.”
“Complicated, yes,” the judge said, and promised to give them the instructions again later.
Three of the five alleged victims — including former “Home Alone” child star Macaulay Culkin — vehemently deny they were molested.
In cross-examination, Mr. Jackson’s attorney suggested that detectives, who came to see the witness after another boy sued Mr. Jackson, prodded the then-13-year-old boy to say he was molested when he at first denied that anything happened.
The witness said when sheriff’s deputies arrived in 1993, “I knew that it was about Michael Jackson because it was on TV all the time.”
“At first I was denying everything,” the young man said, claiming he was scared and feared embarrassment at school.
“You weren’t even saying you were touched at all?” said Thomas Mesereau Jr.
“No,” said the witness. “But I knew.”
“And do you remember telling the police, ‘You’re pushy?'” asked the lawyer.
“Yes,” said the witness.
“And after telling the police, ‘You guys are pushy, you said, ‘Yes, he touched me.'”
“Yeah, I think that’s how it went,” said the witness.
The appearance of the man was allowed under a ruling last week by Melville that prosecutors may present witnesses to alleged molestation or inappropriate behavior before the time period of the current allegations.
Jurors also heard during Mr. Mesereau’s questioning that the witness’ mother went on the TV show “Hard Copy” and received $20,000 for telling her story.
The housekeeper’s son, was asked at the outset of his testimony if he could identify Mr. Jackson in court.
“He’s the light-complected gentleman,” the witness said, smiling at Mr. Jackson.
The witness said he never talked about the incidents with anyone until 1993, when investigators came to him after another boy made allegations against Mr. Jackson in a civil case. No criminal charges were filed in either case and Mr. Jackson has never admitted any guilt.
The witness, who remained on the stand at day’s end, repeatedly talked about being “molested” and Mr. Mesereau suggested he had been prompted to often use the word. He denied it.
Mr. Mesereau pointed out many inconsistencies between what this witness told authorities in 1993 and his testimony on Monday. Cross-examination of this witness will continue tomorrow.
Michael Jackson was never arrested or charged in connection with any past accusations of molestation or abuse.
Mr. Jackson fans who showed up over the weekend to rally on his behalf also stayed for Monday’s court session, chanting and shouting when he arrived and later as he went home for the day.
On Sunday evening, Mr. Jackson spoke by telephone to some 200 fans who gathered in Santa Maria, about 150 miles north of Los Angeles on California’s central coast.
“I really believe I have the most amazing fans in the whole world,” Mr. Jackson told his cheering fans by speakerphone. “Thanks for believing in me. We will be victorious. God and the truth are on our side.”
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