Twelve jurors, 8 men and 4 women, will now determine the fate of pop superstar Michael Jackson as his 14 week long trial came to an end this week. He faces 10 charges of sexually molesting a 13-year old boy and could spend the next 20 years in prison.
The judge has allowed media to install a microphone in the courtroom and will give a 60 to 90 minutes of advanced warning once the verdict is decided.
Jackson is preparing for ‘all outcomes’:
It is understood Jackson’s family has prepared for all outcomes, with discussion even being held on the possibility of the singer’s children being given to his parents, Joe and Katharine, if he is sent to jail.
Raymone Bain, a spokeswoman for the Jackson family, said yesterday the singer was nervously waiting for the verdict.
“This is the worst part of the trial,” Ms Bain said. “This is the hardest part; the waiting game. But he’s relieved that it’s over.
“He is hoping and believing the jury is going to acquit him.”
Ms Bain confirmed Jackson would be spending the weekend trying to relax as much as he could.
Predictions from MSNBC’s ‘Abrams Report’ say “not guilty”.
Criminal defense attorney Daniel Horowitz: I would have confidence in a victory [if I were the defense lawyer in this case]. Let me tell you, if it wasn’t for the prior bad acts that came in– the prior molests that really were not challenged that heavily by Mesereau– this case would be a slam-dunk, two-hour deliberation. The jury would come out the door and hug Michael Jackson. Given the past conduct, I think that may taint this deliberation… but I still say not guilty…
Dan Abrams, Abrams Report host: Let me tell you what I’m going to have to do. I’m going to be going out there for the closing arguments. I don’t think this is not going to be a quick deliberation. I mean I’m basically packing up my life and going out there because I think we’re going to be out there for a while as this jury deliberates, but I agree with everyone. I don’t expect to see guilty on any of the counts.
Criminal defense attorney Robert Shapiro said last night on the ‘O’Reilly Factor’ that he believes Jackson will be convicted of the most serious offense, molestation, as well as giving alcohol to a minor.
The betting public has been all over the place in predicting the outcome. In early 2004 they were betting 2/1 in favor of an acquittal on the more serious lewd acts charges, but flipped to make it 2/1 in favor of conviction earlier this year. At the present time, the last traded price on the Tradesports contract was exactly 50.0, making it a straight pick’em.
JACKSON.LEWD.ACTS
Jackson - Guilty of AT LEAST 1 of 7 counts alleging lewd or lascivious acts against a minor
50.0
JACKSON.INTOXICATING
Jackson-Guilty of AT LEAST 1 of 2 counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a minor
69.8
Eric Anderson at 4:40 pm
GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Anonymous — June 6, 2005 @ 8:42 pm
Mike Jackson is innocent of all charges and therefore not liable for any damages and should be set free immediately.
Not Guilty of lewd act. Nothing more lewd that his regular stage performance. That not against the law.
not guilty of intoxication.
Mike Jackson is not the accusers mother or father. He has no responsiblity for parents failure to train or supervis their children
Not Guilty of Molistation.
I don’t think this is in Michael Jacksons Character!!! Their would certainly be a whole lot more victims. I think hes a mark and has be taken advatage of for years. I also think he has be kept drugged up and incoherent for the purpose of stealing his money.
everone has taken advatage of him and he is depressed and deeply hurt as a result. Now hes finding out he can’t even trust his friends that he never had as a child. what a shame.
May God Be with Michael Jackson and bless his Soul..!!!!
Comment by mike berry — June 8, 2005 @ 3:13 pm
Poor Michael? You have got to be kidding me. The man “spends the night with children.” That’s a fact. Whether or not his intentions are malicious, compulsive, sexual, or otherwise, it is inappropriate and, in the least, screams for therapy. You can’t convince me that any other “John” on the street who spends the night with young boys, exposes children to pictures of nude boys posing on rocks, etc. (”art” - give me a break), and gives children wine in coke cans wouldn’t be in jail. (Notwithstanding all that it implies which is just too unacceptable to say about our very famous Michael Jackson without a video tape and DNA confirmation.) What about all the other kids? Is everyone in the world taking advantage of poor Mikey, too? All of those children who claimed to be treated inappropriately are lying? Kids don’t particularly enjoy the idea of telling the entire world that they have been molested. Sorry, Michael. I’m not buying it. It is so ridiculous to me that people are actually buying this Peter Pan persona. The man has issues. He is 46 years old. I’m sorry that his life hasn’t been a happy one, but he has issues, nonetheless. He is completely manipulating the media, the court, and the jury with this poor, sick-me routine because his precious privacy has been ripped wide open and he is standing naked and ashamed and has no clue about how to deal with it. I wonder how sick would he be right now if he weren’t sitting in the midst of the self-created chaos and rubble of his “private” life. The harsh, glaring light of the entire world is shining down on his privacy which he fought so hard to keep hidden. No wonder he was so private. Let’s use a little common sense here. Poor, poor Mikey…. finally got caught ruining the lives of children and the whole world feels sorry for him? GIVE me a break.
Comment by EyesWideOpen — June 9, 2005 @ 4:42 pm
Michael is a doosh bag.
Comment by SaRAH — September 25, 2007 @ 2:09 pm