A hearty mazal tov to Michael Jackson, who was just cleared of child sex abuse and other charges today.
The big question is: can he save face? No, I mean it literally. Because the signs are that he is having troubles holding it all together.
Michael Jackson has retreated to his Neverland Ranch a free man after being cleared of child sex abuse and other charges at the end of a trial that could have seen him jailed for more than 18 years.In a sensational climax to the 14-week trial, the jury’s verdicts on all 10 counts against Jackson – including conspiracy, child molestation and plying a child with alcohol – were read to the court.
Jackson was found not guilty of each.The megastar, whose defence rested heavily on the testimony of an Australian singer who had spent time at Neverland, dabbed his nose several times but did not look at the jurors.He appeared weak and remained still and quiet, until a stunned look spread over his face as the judge told him he was a free man.
“Mr Jackson, your bail is exonerated and you are released,” Judge Rodney Melville told him before quickly leaving the room.At first Jackson appeared frozen in place but he then slowly turned around to hug his chief defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau as the reality of his acquittal sunk in.
The reality of his acquittal..followed by his face.
